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Post by Ringulf on Sept 19, 2012 12:02:33 GMT -5
A pair of horsed riders, cloaked and dripping in the cold rain approach the long trestle bridge that spanned the Nemath river from the cliffs of Caraway to the Heights of Headsbridge.
The hollow clop, clop sounds of there hooves as they rode their mounts at a walking pace sounded like the percussion of wooden drums.
Ringulf looked over the edge when he came to the open windows. The bridge was covered and walled so that horses would not be spooked by the height and the strange sensation of the air whirling both above and below them. It was a good hundred feet from the floor of the great wooden construction to the swift moving water below.
Toward the end of the bridge a crusty looking man with green teeth and a incongruously clean tabard bearing the symbol of Headsbridge, came forward to block the two riders.
"That'll be two crowns apiece for you gent's to pass into th' fair town o' Headsbridge an the jewel o the Fief o Marshwood, everyone healthy?...not carryin no sickness are ye?"
"Two Crowns master troll? I was not aware that the toll had been raised on this bridge!" Ringulf said from deep within his cloak's cowl.
The toll collector looked at the two coming out of the deep shadow of the bridge and cocked his head to the familiarity of the voice as the colors of their cloaks materialized before him.
"Well we gotta account for the horses now too after all, been allot more weight on this here bridge an we have to save for repairs..."
"If you plan on collecting a tariff from two of the King's Rangers my good Gilpin, please make sure it goes to it's intended purpose and not to a liquid lunch! Though I would eagerly throw in a few extra coppers for your sorely needed next bath and shave!"
"Ah that's hard Ranger Ringulf...hard words indeed, I was not reconizin you and..Ranger Mylia?.. Yep that is you! Greetins to you both, sorry bout the "Gents" comment miss I didn't reconize yer girliness unner all that geer, but you are a welcome site you are both, to be sure, an this fife is in a bad way and will be a far site better now your back!.....Uh the money is going were I said an that's the hurtful part...guess I could use some freshnin up huh?" the old codger said sniffing himself and give a green gap toothed smile and a wheezy chuckle.
Ringulf drew back his hood and gave the wrinkled little man a wry smile.
"Brother I can smell you over my horse, What's happening at the Trollslumber? can two weary travelers get a room?"
"Well yesir o'course they can, but the common room's a mite crowded wi' all the traffic south. Thas annuther problem for which we're chargin more commin in, is we is chargin half goin out to get em the hell outta Marshwood!"
"Careful what you wish for Gilpin, every head that passes south out of the Fife is one less mouth to feed, but it is also one less farmer to sow and reap and one less customer to buy or merchant to trade with. We are going to have a hard time to come I'm afraid, and your job is going to get harder before it gets better."
"Lor' if that don't be the truth...but what do we do?"
"Just do your job...honestly and without quite so much stench! I will tend to the rest" With that Ringulf tossed him a crown anyway.
"No toll for Rangers sir..."
"That's not a toll, it's for you, see that it gets used to make a difference OK?"
Ringulf turned to Mylia as they passed out of the covering of the bridge into the grey half light of the rainy morning. He pulled his hood back up and said:
"This may be worse than we thought...lets get a bite to eat and a hot bath at the Trollslumber. If you want to get a feel for what is happening in the local population...stop at the inn. Besides the horses can use the rest too. We are going to have to push them along the Low Road to get home and start putting things in order."
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Post by canislupus on Sept 28, 2012 14:01:23 GMT -5
"This may be worse than we thought...lets get a bite to eat and a hot bath at the Trollslumber. If you want to get a feel for what is happening in the local population...stop at the inn. Besides the horses can use the rest too. We are going to have to push them along the Low Road to get home and start putting things in order." There was no two ways around it. Justin looked like a man that had been through hell and then dumped into a torrential summer rain. The bandits ambush was bad enough, but then that sudden shower. I must be storing up cart loads of good luck for a late time, because it has been a rough two days., Justin thought wincing a little as he touched the shallow gash along his rob cage made by a bandit's arrow. He applied a quick bandage with a few herbs to speed disinfection and healing. Since he had to take his shirt off to apply the bandage anyway, he placed his shirt over the fire on a drying rack he had made from a few branches and some cords he kept in his saddle bags. His shelter for the night was a good, but simple one. It consisted of a lean two that was made by placing a strong branch in the two y shaped forks of two trees that were near each other. Then he had leaned other strong straight branches onto this cross bar and then layered some foliage to give the shelter some resistance against water. The fire was medium sized, but more than enough to provide the warmth and drying ability that Justin needed, especially with the reflecting wall that Justin had built behind it. Lupercus and Moon were near by keeping an eye and ear out to the road under a small overhang that sheltered them to the rain. Justin knew that there was an inn near hear called the Trollslumber, but with the last few days he had had he really didn't want to go into an unfamiliar town and the truth was he was already close to freezing. As he was cooking his wilderness stew,consisting of some jerked meat and wild herds and onions that he had gathered, for dinner he saw both of his companions ears perk up and a moment later he heard the sound of horses hooves striking the road. " Perhaps, guests for dinner?" I hope they do not mind my lack of dress at the moment,but atleast my pants have dried already Justin thought as he pulled on his now dry tan pants. He also put his belt on with his pouches and weapons and he kept his bow and back quiver near as well, after the past few days he had had he didn't want to trust in his luck to much.
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 1, 2012 14:03:54 GMT -5
As Mylia and Ringulf made their way down from the bridge along the serpentine road that lead to the town, alot closer to sealevel than the covered, trestlebridge spanning the rapids of the Nemath, they saw the lightly forested skirt on the uphill sides of the road and recalled that there were only a few cabins and little houses along that path until you got down a bit farther.
The smell of a campfire wafted up to Ringulf and it made him curious as to who would be camping up here when the town offered lodging, Perhaps more refugees that could not afford or find a room.
As they got closer, the scene looked rather familiar, one he had participated in for many years. A ranger on the outskirts trying to get some rest, clean up and..even tend to wounds it seemed, but which Ranger was it?
The cloak was a dead givaway and even the style of the bivuac told Ringulf he was a ranger, but it was not untill he got a bit closer he recognized the man. He was a bit leaner and rangier than he remembered him being, but being on the road will do that to a man. The large wolf-like dog next to him really gave it away though.
" Wolf?!...Wolf that you? You mangy cur, what you doin up here and why have you still not learned how to doge? Hey Lupe! I told you to take care of this guy, you're not slackin are you?"
Ringulf fished out a bit of jerky from his pouch and as he dismounted, got down on one knee and held it out for Lupercus to sniff.
"Go on buddy take it, you know me, we're friends!" he said in a soothing, friendly voice.
Ringulf was good with animals and he knew Lupe was a hybrid and a very smart and protective companion to his master.
He offered the jerky withought looking directly in the animal's eyes and his kneeling position showed a somewhat nuetral if not submissive posture.
Even a little wolf in a dog will tend to be ruled by the same instincts as a pure bread, so best to always re-establish a relationship when dealing with one.
"Atta boy,... So how are you doing Justin? I have not seen you in longer than I care to remember, what got you there,... an arrow? He pointed at the fresh bandage and the small spotting of fresh blood that was starting to ooze ti the surface.
"Oh, I would like you to meet my Apprentice Mylia. Mylia this is Justin, we go back a ways, seems he likes being alone in the woods too! Heh heh."
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Post by canislupus on Oct 1, 2012 18:30:28 GMT -5
" Wolf?!...Wolf that you? You mangy cur, what you doin up here and why have you still not learned how to doge? Hey Lupe! I told you to take care of this guy, you're not slackin are you?"
Justin's face broke out in a large welcoming grin " Well, Ringluf if I get to good at dodging then these bandits will stop wanting to fight me so much and then Lupe and I would get bored and fat", Justin finished with a hearty laugh obviously glad to see the other Ranger.
" And as to why I am here, there was a roving band of bandits that were responsible for robbing a farmer a few days back. They even burned down the mans house and killed his cattle. I tracked them to a clearing and waited for them along the trail, but they were a sight more wily than your average bandits. They had out scouts that triggered some of the traps I made early and that is how I caught the arrow to the ribs. But me and Lupe turned the tables on them and I got enough of the farmers funds back that he should be able to start over", Justin finished with a somewhat rueful glace at his bandaged ribs.
Go on buddy take it, you know me, we're friends!" he said in a soothing, friendly voice Lupe looked at the man that was offering him the jerky , sniffed the air a bit and then recognizing the Ranger's scent his face broke into what can only be described as a smile and he took the jerky happily, even licking the large mans hand a bit. " Well, it seems Lupe still remembers you, if you spoil him he may just leave me and travel with you", Justin said with a grin. Lupe seemed to roll his eyes at this.
"Oh, I would like you to meet my Apprentice Mylia. Mylia this is Justin, we go back a ways, seems he likes being alone in the woods too! Heh heh." This was the first that Justin had noticed the girl,so well did her clothing blend in with the rain and green near her. As, she was introduced Justin flushed a bit and quickly put on his now dry shirt, wincing a bit as the wound on his ribs throbbed painfully as he raised his arms to put his shirt on. After this, he turned to the girl with a friendly grin " Hey there it is very nice to meet you miss. It seems Ringulf always gets the pretty apprentices" Looking back toward Ringulf he said " Why don't you two come in here out of the rain and you can tell me what brings your mangy self and your apprentice to these parts. You both are welcome to some stew to, if you like. Just don't eat all of it Ringulf", Justin added with a grin and a laugh as he gestured to the log that he was siting on facing the fire and the now simmering, divine smelling stew.
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 1, 2012 20:03:34 GMT -5
Ringulf affected a mock inocense and mouthed the words "Who me? as he walked over to sit down with his comrade.
"I tell you what, I will eat your stew and talk to you while you break camp. That is if you let me buy you a hot bath and dinner in the Trollslumber, which is where we are headed.
I trust you are responding to Crowley's call for Rangers to Marshwood?
Well since I am the Ranger of the fife I can sit and discuss where I can use you. There is just one problem...I still am not quite sure what the hell is going on!
So we bathe and rest the horses, have a good meal, and we set out this evening along the Low road as far as possible and see what we can see till we make the Port.
How does that sound?"
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Post by canislupus on Oct 1, 2012 20:18:43 GMT -5
How does that sound?"
"Aye, that sounds like a fine idea to me, my friend. I really just stopped here to dry off and bandage up anyway. And yes that was the second reason that I came to this area The bandits were just something I kind if fell into. What is the latest news on the situation here?" Justin asked as he packed up his few things and began to saddle Moon.
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 3, 2012 23:29:14 GMT -5
What is the latest news on the situation here?" Justin asked as he packed up his few things and began to saddle Moon.
"Well I am going to see to the horses before partaking of some of your Trail pottage, I will let my brilliant, young Apprentice recount the deatails and strategic implications to you. Let's see if you were paying attention M'Lady Catchrats." he said with a chuckle and a "after you" indication wave toward Justin.
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Post by Ringulf on Jul 6, 2013 9:46:18 GMT -5
The meal, though not spectacular, was ample and filling and all left the table satisfied. It had been several days on the trail for Ringulf and Mylia and Wolf had not had much better. After Mylia had summed up the situation, with minor interuptions and clarifications from her Mentor, it was decided that at this point the northern part of the fife closest to the mountains would be the best place to have an extra pair of Ranger trained eyes. From Castle Stoneheath all the way to the coast the mountainous northern border held small paths and passes that the Scotties could exploit in small numbers, and if they had been making it through these they might have to rendezvous and gather to reasemble their forces somewere in the foothills.
So Ringulf sent Wolf North with orders to contact the Battlemaster and the Horsemaster as well as check into the castle and see the Seneschal. Stoneheath castle was a fortified position more on a par with Macindaw in Norgate than the fife's capital of Marshwood or as it was becoming know now in the plagues wake, "Marshport".
Ringulf clapped Wolf on the back and thanked him for his help, he gave him a bit of expense coin and set off with Mylia on the east road.
In every town along the east road it was the same, too many refugees, food supplies short, prices high and petty crime on the rise.
"Mylia I am going to stop in Westport to check on the Wardens, I'll most likey overnight there. I would like you to continue on to the cabin and let Finn know, we are almost home and get a feel for what's happening in the City. I will be along as soon as possible, Crowley had mentioned that the Wardens and the Battleschool students were taking the lions share of guarding the fife from within, I need to get an overview of what they are facing and what they might need. Be carefull on the trail and try not to stop for anyone, the fife is not what it was when we left."
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 7, 2013 14:29:04 GMT -5
Ringulf gave Mylia a great squeeze around her shoulders before she rode off. He watched her as she disapeared down the Low Road that ran along the northern border of the marsh. He turned Chenlotte down the path that headed south to the Marshwarden's compound here in Westmarsh.
He dismounted as he drew near the stables. As he came to the gate he saw the large flatbed wagon with a skiff shaped box on it. That is, it was a skiff whose gunnels had been fitted with a hinged lid of sorts and made into the Warden's version of what Ringulf now came to realize was a coffin.
He saw Simone gathered with many of the Wardens by the wagon and also saw Aribjorn walking up from the quay with little Djolimar in tow. Djolimar split off to the main house but came out the front door with a load of things almost immediately and rejoined Ari as they all came together around the wagon.
Ari was the first to see the Fief's Ranger and called to him over the heads of the other Wardens whose backs were turned as they spoke with Simone.
"Ringulf! vell if you are not a sight for sore eyece I don't know vat iss!" called out Ari and many of the Wardens turned and raised warm but somber welcomes as well.
"Hello all! I am sorry to have been gone so long, but what has happened here?" he asked solemly, "and who is it that is no longer among us?"
"Simone stepped forward and the words caught in her throat. Ari put an arm around her and looked at the big Ranger, "Dere iss much to discuss vit you my Kinsman, ant ve must have our own little moot togedder to make our plans I tink."
"Yes we do!" said another voice coming down the path behind them "And I am afraid I have some additional news from the Port so I may as well join you." It was Geir just come west along the same Low Road from the Port to deliver his news to Simone. "I just saw Mylia on the way..." He stopped abruptly when he saw the wagon past the throng. "Oh no, who...?"
"It's Gracie Geir, Gracie is dead!" said Djolimar trying hard to be brave, but with a bit of a quiver still in his high, youthful voice.
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 8, 2013 0:09:21 GMT -5
(OOC: This post has been transferred over to this thread to syncronize the happenings in the approximate time and place that the rest of the thread deals with. Though written a while back in the "PlagueGuards of Marshwood" thread, it is more pertinant to this current plotline.)
Fowler Turtleman sat quietly in the comfortable bottom of his little punt. It had been a good morning thus far, he had pulled two of the quickly vanishing turtles out of the marsh on the way to his favorite hunting spot. The turtles were not endangered in any way, but they tended to become more scarce as the seasons changed. there would be less and less as the fall progressed and the time he normally spent in trapping, spearing and catching turtles for there meat leather and shell, would be replaced by eel spearing and then eventually all would give way to waterfowling.
Right this moment in fact, he was waiting silently in a large open patch of water that was protected on three sides by the tall grasses. He was anchored by a slat of wood which was jammed down through the daggerboard trunk into the soft mud below to hold him fast. His rig of half dozen or so crossbows were strung and loaded and affixed to the bow and a bit of grey netting which had been littered with some of the surrounding marshgrass and debris was piled up behind them and draped to conceal the little boat and it's one passenger.
Fowler lay in the bottom of the punt with his back and head propped up by extra nets and his canvas sail so that just his head poked up above the combing of the cockpit. His feet were braced against the thwart on either side of the daggerboard trunk and his strong forearms rested on his upper thighs. In his hands he held the cord that was tied in a large loop and that passed through each of the triggers of the many crossbows.
It was quiet here, he loved this spot, it was secluded and not well known to any on the marsh save the most experienced marshmen.
These spots were passed down from generation to generation and were not only coveted they were well guarded by the hunters who used them. There was no official claim on a spot but there was a code of honor that was strictly adhered too by all who hunted. Marshmen "worked" their spots, not only in their harvest, but in their maintenance and husbandry. A spot was considered its own little ecosystem. In one such spot, like this one he currently sat in, the marshman would cultivate the banks for nesting areas, make sure there was adequate food source to attract the many species of animals he was looking to attract and keep the proper "flow" of water in and out to keep all of it vital and alive.
The smell of the duckweed around him told Fowler that this rich biome was healthy and that he had done a good job in managing this spot.
Just then the whir an whistle of many wings ripped over his head and he saw the flock of geese descend with a plop in front of him. he waited till the maximum amount of fowl were within his "Kill zone", then with a strong jerk on the cord he set off his whole rig at one time.
The quarrels shot forth into the flock and the majority of them took more than one bird apiece.
This was not Fowler's first hunt he had been doing this since he was younger than Djolimar and was considered a better shot than most of his peers.
He sat up and moved forward to remove the net screening and view his catch.
The carnage before him was never particularly easy to witness, he love the birds and beasts that he hunted and never took their sacrifice lightly, but such was the circle of nature that he was an integral part of. he hauled on the lines that were attached to each quarrel and pulled in one goose after another.
Seventeen fowl, two turtles of large size, a string of muskrat, a bucket of eel and two burlap sacks of duckweed was the days haul.
He secured the catch and got the boat ready for it's return trip. He had just gotten the mast stepped and the rudder in its gudgeon's when he saw the black barge at the mouth of his little cove.
Fowler could feel his face reddening and could almost imagine the wisps of steam come off his perspiring head.
"Those rotten bastards! just once they could let me out of a good hunt with all I had, just once!" he thought to himself.
"Well Fowler old boy, how did you do? What you got for us?" a shifty man on the front of the barge poled by six other men inquired.
"What I got for you ya little squint, you don't want, as for my catch, the winter is coming and I need what I have!"
"Now, now old man, let's not be greedy and mind your manners or I'll have the boys rough you up again, By the way, were is that boy or yours eh? He ain't been givin back his share lately, to busy tickling that pretty warden woman I suppose, Ah youth..."
"You leave Djolimar outa this or I don't care how many there are of you I will kill you first before I go! You can take a bit extra from me as usual, to make up for the boys share, I actually have a pretty good haul what do you say to a third of it?"
Half of it and we will leave you alone, just cause you have such a nasty tongue for us and we just doin our jobs and all!!"
Take it you vultures and I hope your offer on the duckweed is still good I made a special trip to get the good stuff since your master is paying so well."
"Yes that he is and don't go crying bout the cut, we are payin enough for the weed to quite offset your other losses."
"I don't eat money ya blaggard, some of this food is for my table too ya know!"
"Well you ain't going hungry by the looks of ya and you marshmen are all staying healthy ain't yah? Bet the rest of the world doesn't have a clue what this weed can really do and the first one who says anything to anyone who ain't supplying us will get his throat slit, now I promise ya that!"
"Just take your ill gotten goods and let me be, or one day you may find the taste of my catch more than you can swallow!."
"Is that a threat Master Fowler? are you threatening harm to the Brotherhood Master Fowler? you know that with a snap of my fingers I could keep you from setting foot on this marsh forever."
"No! It is a promise you slimey eel! and you don't scare me, you would not dare cut off what I can produce. I bring in more than any three hunters to fill your pockets!"
"Well then we might have to just find us three more poachers just to make up for ya cause I am sick of your guff!"
"Run along little man, you and your hooligans, and I ain't no poacher! what you get from me is under protest and all of ya are a bunch of brigands!"
"Oh sure we are, and you are just an innocent little lamb, one that lines our pockets and keeps his boy outa trouble and don't you forget it!"
Fowler clamped his jaw shut and seethed with hatred as he watched the barge and half his days toil, as it was poled away.
When it was out of site down the waterway he reached over to a line that was tied off to the stern cleat.
He pulled up the large wire basket hidden on the bottom in the mud, that held dozens of clams and muscles, oysters and conch.
There was enough in the basket to justify the hard days toil all by itself.
"Rotten Bastards." he muttered under his breath and spat vehamently into the water on the lee side as he hauled in his secret catch.
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Post by Ringulf on Feb 5, 2015 23:05:50 GMT -5
Ringulf had said words over the fallen warden as all around bowed their heads. then the wagon and a group of the wardens moved set off down the pathway towards the main road to take their charge back toward her home and family in Westmarsh. Ringulf broke the solomn silence as he said in a gruff but comanding voice "Alright folks, we have work to do, I want to have all of you in the hall for a strategy session and I want to know everything that each of you know to this point, understood?"
"Um...Ranger Ringulf, Sir, what about me?" said Djolimar in an unsteady voice. It was not like him at all and Ringulf could see how shaken up he was.
Befor Ringulf could respond Ari interjected "Kinsman I tink you vant to hear vat Djolimar hass to say, I spoke to him before about de marsh and he had some very goot ideas!"
Very well Ari, there is wisdom in many counselors they say, age was never mentioned. Ringulf said with a warm smile to Djolimar.
Things had been cleaned up inside the house and the smell of some sort of large pasty was eminating from the oven along with some freshly baked bread set out to cool.
They all sat down to confer Ringulf, Simone, Aribjorn, Geir and Djolimar.
After hearing all their respective stories and recapping to put everything in order it was descided that Aribjorn would go back north and get back to his unit to try and see if he and a few of the Battleschool cadets could scout the trails for the possible wereabouts of the escaped criminals and Yule. Geir would act on and oversee the plan to get work crews and hunting parties from the local villages but also from Marshport's many refugees. He would go on ahead of Ringulf and meet with Katrina and see what had transpired with the brute squad letting Finn know Ringulf was on his way. Ringulf would escort Djolimar back to his cabin and stop to discuss some of the wisdom that Djolimar brought to the table as concerned the Marshmen and their remedies with Old Fowlur. Simone would rally the Wardens, recalling them all from their posts, homes and other duties and prepare them for a fight. Ringulf felt that with everything that was happening they should all be vigilent and expect a Scotti Raid from the North.
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Post by Ringulf on Feb 5, 2015 23:07:29 GMT -5
The two figures made a rather comical contrast if view from a ways down the road. A very large man walked beside an equally large chestnut horse and astride the horse was a rather small boy.
Only a short ways down the road Ringulf had climbed down off Chenlot and lead him by the reigns. He saw that poor Djolimar was walking as quick as a quale to keep up with his long strides.
"Djolimar, would you mind riding Chenlot for a bit? I truly need to stretch my legs and I would rather speak with you at or around eye level!" Ringulf said with a bit of a chuckle.
"Would I ever!" Djolimar said excitedly, "I don't think I have ever seen a horse this big that was not pullin' a plow or a wagon or something." Then he suddenly checked himself thinking he might have insulted Ringulf or his horse, or maybe even both.
Ringulf gripped him beneath the arms and hoisted him up into the saddle. He said a word to chenlot in Gaulic and the horse made no check in his stride as the boys weight slid onto his back.
"Em that is I never have seen such a big RIDING horse." He patted Chenlot's neck to make sure there were no hard feelings, He felt he was up so high he was likely to get a nosebleed and falling from here, or being thrown, would land him in a pile of hurt!
The leather creeked as he settled himself in the saddle and Ringulf shortened up the stirrups so the boys feet couild reach them.
"Chenlot is not your average Ranger pony Djolimar, I had always preferred to walk in the days after my...when I was on my own, but with apprentices to keep up with and a pretty big Fife to get around, well let's just say he was found for me because Crowley insisted I have a mount and I insisted that I needed one that I didn't feel like I had to carry on my back because of my size. With those Ranger ponies I feel like my legs might drag on the ground!"
"Is he trained like a Ranger pony?" the boy asked.
"Yes he is, exactly the same way, by old Bob. He has some draft horse in him, but he also has a bit of the big Gaulican warhorse blood too. He is as strong as an eliphant but he can run with the best of the ponys for speed, though his endurance in a gallop is less, he can canter for hours."
"Can I make him go by myself?" Djolimar asked with a wide eyed excitement.
"Sure, he neck reigns, so keep both reigns in one hand and just move your fist to the left or the right to turn. He will sense even your weight in the saddle so if you want to go forward lean forward if you want to stop lean back. he will start off in a trot then if you kick lightly he will increase his gates until he is galloping. Then for more speed, lean freward to his neck and stand in the stirups some, he will fly!"
"Um, actually I just wanted him to walk fast..." Djolimar said a bit hesitantly, "I am not much of a rider."
"Well I can't let you take him without giving you the right tools, so now you know just about everything, I imagine you understand the concept of "whoa" and pulling back on the reigns to stop?"
"Well yeah!" The boy said with a touch of exasperation.
"Well don't do that too hard or he will rear up and most likely kick whatever is in front of him. Old warehorse trick, also good for taking down doors and gates." Ringulf said with a devilish smile and one raised eyebrow. "Backing up is easy too, just pull the reins back to your right hip and twist your body slightly that way and he will know what you want."
Before long Djolimar was trotting and cantering down the road for a few hundred yards then turning and racing back. Chenlot thought it great fun and Ringulf laughed at the two frollicking about.
After a while Djolimar reigned up next to the big Ranger and was content to walk Chenlot next to his master as they discussed many things about his life on the marshes and the types of things he did day to day. They also spoke of Fowlur and the way they got along together as father and son. Ringulf had not made a very good start with Fowlur and was not sure why. Djolimar was convinced that it was due to the close relationship he had once had with the previous Ranger and the fact that he was killed. He also mentioned the fact that he thought there were men putting pressure on fowlur for some reason, back when the old Ranger, Ranger Donagal MacHeath, was still alive, he would protect Fowlur and Djolimar from any of the unsavory types like poachers and briggands, but he had never seen his father bring home so little when there was so much resource to be harvested as he had recently. He said that though he asked about the drop off, Fowlur would not speak of it to his son and told the boy to keep his nose clean and were it belonged.
It was a bit after nightfall when they could see the lights twinkling from within Djolimars cabin.
"Hey can I ride up on Chenlot and surprise old Fowlur, he will think I'm the headless Horseman!"
"More likely he will think a goblin stole a famhorse and is riding the banklands scarring the Marshfolk! But go ahead and don't get shot! I don't relish the thought of pulling arrows out of your behind!" Ringulf said as the boy sped off down the trail.
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