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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 11, 2010 11:57:22 GMT -5
“Aree-be-jorn…” Tory sounded his name out after he introduced himself. “Interesting name, Bjorn means bear, doesn’t it?” she asked him. “I like it. I will call you Ari, and you can call me Tory.” She snickered at the lame joke. His answers to her questions had calmed her fears considerably.
“Thanks for filling me in. I hope Ringulf is ok. He was out cold, from what I remember and the sails on us were on fire. Did he get burned?” She asked worriedly. She suspected if Mylia had been by her side, then chances were Ringulf was ok – or- Well, she didn’t want to think about the alternative.
She took her satchel and could feel her journal inside and mentally sighed in relief. “So, how long until we get to Caraway, it should be soon, shouldn’t it?” Tory asked him. “Gee I hope it doesn’t take me too long to heal up. I am supposed to be helping Ringulf bring back some horses for the Rangers I think, some breeding stock or something like that.” Tory sighed, “I miss my horse, Chip. They made me leave him back in Araluen.” She didn’t tell him that had they not done so, she would have run off more than likely.
Thinking back for a moment on what he had just told her, she remembered him saying something about not all Skandians being axe murderers or something and nearly chuckled, having relaxed quite a bit now that he was not poking and prodding her wound – for the moment. “Thanks for coming to help us. I thought for sure I was going to die. There were just so many of them.” She looked into his startling blue eyes. “I know not all Skandians are murderers, but I have never heard of any helping out anyone from Araluen just because they have a good heart. You must be a rather special person to have convinced your captain to lend aid.”
Then another thought occurred to her, “May I ask why you are going to Caraway, I mean, if it is not none of my business, just say so. I am just curious is all?” Tory hoped he wouldn’t think she was nosy, but for the life of her she could not fathom a reason the Skandians would be on their way to Caraway unless they wanted to trade for something. “Are you a trader?”
She lay quite still, waiting for his response and trying not to disturb her wound any more than she already had. She pressed her arm down on it, hoping that would slow down the bleeding even more. It was already slowing a little bit, now that she was still.
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Post by Ringulf on Aug 11, 2010 14:22:43 GMT -5
“Thanks for filling me in. I hope Ringulf is ok. He was out cold, from what I remember and the sails on us were on fire. Did he get burned?”
Aribjorn turned away so she could not see his face and busied himself with tidying up the tent area next to the cot.
"Vell Tory I am not sure vat condition Rin...ah de Big ranger, your freint is in, he is down in de underdeck ant Smidja ant de oders are taking care of him."
“So, how long until we get to Caraway, it should be soon, shouldn’t it?” Tory asked him. “Gee I hope it doesn’t take me too long to heal up. I am supposed to be helping Ringulf bring back some horses for the Rangers I think, some breeding stock or something like that.” Tory sighed, “I miss my horse, Chip. They made me leave him back in Araluen.” She didn’t tell him that had they not done so, she would have run off more than likely.
"I tink ve shoult be der very soon you have been sleeping since yesterday late morning after de attack and we left de marsh dis morning on de tide. As far as healing I tink we wait in Caraway for a while till everyone is better. I vill be coming vit you to Araluen ant Ogmant will be wit us too."
“Thanks for coming to help us. I thought for sure I was going to die. There were just so many of them.” She looked into his startling blue eyes. “I know not all Skandians are murderers, but I have never heard of any helping out anyone from Araluen just because they have a good heart. You must be a rather special person to have convinced your captain to lend aid.”
He put his head down a bit embarassed and ruffled his hair with his big hand absently.
"Vell maybe it is de Captain who is de special one, he is de vone who made de descision to help, I am glad he did, for many reasons..." Aribjorn's reply trailed off realizing he was moving in a direction he did not feel very comfortable going.
“May I ask why you are going to Caraway, I mean, if it is not none of my business, just say so. I am just curious is all?” Tory hoped he wouldn’t think she was nosy, but for the life of her she could not fathom a reason the Skandians would be on their way to Caraway unless they wanted to trade for something. “Are you a trader?”
"Um vell no not realy a trader...dough I guess sort of, I am trading my culture for yours in some vays, I am to be assigned to battleschool, I vish to be a knight. The Jar....um my fadher was able to help me get in, ant de horses you are going to be bringing to Araluen are mine....ah his, he is giving dem as a gift to de King to help breet goot ranger horses for de mountains and cold weader I tink. Dey are Scandian horses, goot ones from my fadhers stables. Dey are small comparet to your big horses, but dey are strong and can run for long times even in de colt! Dey are kinda shaggy too, so dey don't mind de snow."
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Post by Firehead on Sept 23, 2010 9:16:20 GMT -5
Mylia sat perched on the stern railing knees pulled up under her chin, hunched forward, staring into space, deep in thought. Ogmund had told her that he wasn't sure whether either Ringulf or Tory would make it. Both had lost quite a bit of blood, and neither had woken yet from unconsciousness. If both died, she would be stranded without a friend and without a mentor. What would happen then?
Mylia didn't want to, but figuring out what she would do next was necessary. She would have to carry on with the mission. By herself if--- she wouldn't be doing that, she remembered: Ari--whatever-the-rest-of-his-name-was would be riding with her back to Araluan. After she had finished with both those tasks, she would report to Crowley and see what happened next. Thinking about it, Mylia wondered if she couldn't send off a message by pigeon to Crowley with the news--once the ship arrived at Caraway, that is--instead of trekking back with the news.
"Hey Mylia! Are you two done yet? She is back in our worlt ant I neet a bit off help vit her site, I tink! Ogmunt go below and get some food for her too, ya?"
it took Mylia a minute to sort out just what Ari had said--they spoke the oddest dialect--but then she bolted for the room in which Tory lay, skidding sharply around the corner and grabbing the door post to help keep herself upright. "Your awake?!" she blurted out upon seeing Tory lying still in the bed. Stepping quickly closer she saw that Tory was indeed awake, and let out a sigh of relief. Then, as she usually did, she vented her relief in the form of a half-lecture. "It's about time! What took you so long!? I've been staying up around the clock and worrying about you two--Ringulf's not in the best of shape right now; he hasn't woken up yet--and I absolutely hate worrying! You've worrit me out of a hundred years growth!"
Thus vented, Mylia heaved out a large breath and plopped down onto the small vacant stool by Tory's bed and simply stared back at her for a minute. She gave another short sigh of relief, and waited. "Aren't you going to say anything?" she asked, a note of worry creeping into her voice. What if Tory couldn't talk? What if she'd lost the power of speech? "Say something!" she blurted.
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 23, 2010 10:36:15 GMT -5
Tory wondered why she had even asked the question for a moment. Normally she wasn’t all that interested in what career paths strangers were heading down, but for some reason she had asked the question and she was genuinely curious about the answer.
"Um vell no not really a trader...dough I guess sort of, I am trading my culture for yours in some vays, I am to be assigned to battleschool, I vish to be a knight.”
Tory looked at him in surprise for a moment, her eyes going round. Then she sized him up, noting his build and he seemed rather graceful in his movements. She recognized certain qualities she had seen in her father and other knights. Very seriously she said, “I think you will make a great knight, Aribeejorn.” She was still having some trouble pronouncing his name correctly. “My father is a knight in Meric! Well, not anymore really. He was injured and so he is a man-at-arms now. He guards the castle, but before his shoulder got messed up so he couldn’t hold a lance, he was a great fighter.” Tory said proudly.
"The Jar....um my fadher was able to help me get in, ant de horses you are going to be bringing to Araluen are mine....ah his, he is giving dem as a gift to de King to help breet goot ranger horses for de mountains and cold weader I tink. Dey are Scandian horses, goot ones from my fadhers stables. Dey are small comparet to your big horses, but dey are strong and can run for long times even in de colt! Dey are kinda shaggy too, so dey don't mind de snow."
Tory caught the slip, ‘so his father is Jarl! That would be why the Captain listened to him most likely.’ She thought. She had learned from Patrick that Jarl’s were the Skandian equivalent of a Baron. This meant his father was pretty influential in his homeland more than likely. As he described the Skandian horses Tory was tempted to twist around and try to see them in the hold below, but then she remembered she shouldn’t move because of her wound.
“My horse is small and shaggy too.” She smiled at him. Why was she telling him anything? He just put her at ease and she felt that she could confide in him when normally she was very close mouthed around strangers, especially foreigners. “His name is Chocolate Chip, on account of his small brown spots all over his otherwise white shaggy coat.” Then she frowned, remembering she’d had to leave him behind. “I guess it was a good thing he wasn’t on that ship or he might have drowned or been burnt up.” She said sadly.
After a moment of awkward silence while she reflected on the battle and tried to remember the last few minutes of it, Mylia burst in and bombarded her with questions and a lecture. "You’re awake?!" She blurted, but before Tory could answer she went on, "It's about time! What took you so long!? I've been staying up around the clock and worrying about you two--Ringulf's not in the best of shape right now; he hasn't woken up yet--and I absolutely hate worrying! You've worrit me out of a hundred years growth!"
Tory stared at her dumbly for a minute, trying to keep up with the tirade and then a slow smile spread across her face. “I am fine.” She said, and then looked down at her side. “Well, not exactly fine I suppose.” She amended. “I am sorry I worried you.”
Then she realized that Mylia really had been worried about her and Tory stared at her in wonder. She couldn’t believe it. Other than Patrick, (and she wasn’t actually sure if he had cared about her beyond his responsibility), and her mother – sort-of – she really had never had anyone care enough to worry what had become of her. Her mouth fell open and then she asked, “You really were worried about me?” She was staring at Mylia with a look of pure wonder on her face, having forgotten for the moment that Aribjorn was listening. Then the other part of Mylia’s lecture sunk in – the part about Ringulf and she grew concerned. “How is Ringulf doing? Is he going to be ok?” She asked, realizing that she was worried about the likable old ranger.
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Post by Ringulf on Sept 23, 2010 11:14:02 GMT -5
“You really were worried about me?” She was staring at Mylia with a look of pure wonder on her face, having forgotten for the moment that Aribjorn was listening. Then the other part of Mylia’s lecture sunk in – the part about Ringulf and she grew concerned. “How is Ringulf doing? Is he going to be ok?” She asked, realizing that she was worried about the likable old ranger.
Just then another Scandian popped his head and then shoulders into the makeshift tent that served as Tory's infirmary.
"Allo! How iss da girl doin, iss she up to a little vist yet Ari?"
"Yes Captain!" Aribjorn responded good naturedly, "but not to long I tink she is still a little veek and all de company may make her move dat vount abit to much!"
"Now Tory I am going to find out vat is keeping Ogmant vit your food but I vill be back. Aribjorn said with a wink and a smile to the young girl.
"Vell Tory, it iss good to see you avake I tink you will ment ok Ari is very...enthusiastic about anything he does and from da moment you came on boart he felt it vas hiss job to make you well again, he really is quite good at dis healing stuff, dough Ogmant iss da vone who did da stitchin I tink." Said the captain
"Oh I am sorry, I am Smidja Mirkvattn, you vould say "Dark vater" ant I am da captain of De Harmar, dat meens Seahorse in your tongue, but if you used your nose you vould have known dat already!" he said with a chuckle.
His eyes went back and forth between the two girls a bit and then they saddened.
"I am glad at least two of my passengers are doing vell, but I neet to tell you bote someting dat vill be hart for you to hear. Da Ranger Ringulf iss my kinsman and also Ariblorn's....step Uncle? ya I guess dat's vat you would call him, anyvay, I have vowed to do all I can to help him but it does not look good for him. His arrow vound was minor, for him and the burns are pretty bad on his back but what did de vorst vas da mast, I can not tell how bad it iss yet because of all de...svelling but I tink his back may be broke and even if de Sheildmaidens don't take him I don't tink he vill ever walk or ride again."
He look at them both to see in there eyes if they understood the magnitude of what he had told them.
"Vell ve don't know right now, dat is all I can tell you, but you must be prepared for what may come and since you are bote Rangers I felt I needed to tell you"
He again looked very sad and gave a sigh and turned to leave.
"I vill leave you "Rangers" alone for a vile."
Then he was gone.
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Post by Firehead on Sept 23, 2010 13:19:27 GMT -5
Tory stared at her dumbly for a minute, trying to keep up with the tirade and then a slow smile spread across her face. “I am fine.” She said, and then looked down at her side. “Well, not exactly fine I suppose.” She amended. “I am sorry I worried you.”
Mylia managed a wide grin, then let it fade off as she looked quizzically at Tory, who was now gaping open-mouthed at her...or at something behind her. Mylia turned to look over her shoulder, but saw nothing except for Ari. She turned back to Tory just as Tory spoke.
“You really were worried about me?”
Mylia squinted briefly at her friend. "Well of course I was worried about you! What, did you think I wasn't going to care what happened to you after hauling you out of a wreaked ship? No way hosea!" she said empathatically, shaking her head.
“How is Ringulf doing? Is he going to be ok?”
At that, Mylia's face fell. "I dunno." she looked down at the floor, then forced her gaze to meet with that of Tory's again. "Smidja didn't give much of a verdict the only time he let me see him, only that it was 'Up to the shieldmaidens'-- whatever that means." She swallowed hard, then continued. "You know, if'n he dies though, I ain't attendin' his funeral. I'm gonna be thet mad at 'im that I just won't. So, he'd better not die!"
Just then another Scandian popped his head and then shoulders into the makeshift tent that served as Tory's infirmary.
"Allo! How iss da girl doin, iss she up to a little vist yet Ari?"
Mylia glanced up over her shoulder at the newcomer. Her "Sure she is. Right, Tory?" blended with Ari's, "Yes Captain! But not to long I tink she is still a little veek and all de company may make her move dat vount abit to much!" as he departed the makeshift room.
The captain seemed cheered by that news, but they saddened as he continued to look at the two girls. I ne "I am glad at least two of my passengers are doing vell, butet to tell you bote someting dat vill be hart for you to hear."
Mylia gulped hard at this. She did not like the sound of that at all.
The captain continued. "Da Ranger Ringulf iss my kinsman and also Ariblorn's....step Uncle? ya I guess dat's vat you would call him, anyvay, I have vowed to do all I can to help him but it does not look good for him. His arrow vound was minor, for him and the burns are pretty bad on his back but what did de vorst vas da mast, I can not tell how bad it iss yet because of all de...svelling but I tink his back may be broke and even if de Sheildmaidens don't take him I don't tink he vill ever walk or ride again."
He look at them both to see in there eyes if they understood the magnitude of what he had told them.
Mylia felt numb. She couldn't feel anything. She simply stared expressionlessly at the captain as he finished.
"Vell ve don't know right now, dat is all I can tell you, but you must be prepared for what may come and since you are bote Rangers I felt I needed to tell you"
He again looked very sad and gave a sigh and turned to leave.
"I vill leave you "Rangers" alone for a vile."
Then he was gone.
For several minutes afterward, Mylia sat silently, just absorbing the shock. Finally, she managed one word past still-numb lips. "Drats." Just saying something seemed to remind her how to speak. The second one came out just as quietly as the first had. "Blast." She put her head in her hands, half-hiding her face from the world at large, and strugled to control her emotions. She really wanted to cry. She managed to hold back the sobs that built in her throat but she had to let the tears stream silently down her cheeks. She couldn't hold back those.
After another minute, a resolve built within her, and she stood up, turning for the door. "I'll be right back." she managed to work out.
She moved quickly past makeshift stalls and sailors, ignoring their greetings, at last coming to where Ringulf lay. She ducked the sailor standing at the entrance--what was he there for anyway? not like he could stop her if she wanted in.-- and crossed to Ringulf's bedside. Fixing him with a glare, she snapped out, "Don't you die! Don't you dare die on me! Get well. All well, do ye hear me? All well!" She stared at his face for a second, then tacked on, "Or else!"
Swallowing hard against the tears that threatened to pour down her face again, she spun around and dashed out, sprinting all the way back to Tory's room. Seating herself on the stool again, she allowed her tears to again stain her cheeks. "There."
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Post by Ringulf on Sept 23, 2010 14:40:26 GMT -5
"I'll be right back." Mylia managed to work out.
She moved quickly past makeshift stalls and sailors, ignoring their greetings, at last coming to where Ringulf lay. She ducked the sailor standing at the entrance--what was he there for anyway? not like he could stop her if she wanted in.-- and crossed to Ringulf's bedside. Fixing him with a glare, she snapped out, "Don't you die! Don't you dare die on me! Get well. All well, do ye hear me? All well!" She stared at his face for a second, then tacked on, "Or else!"
Ringulf was motionless, his body was burned and bruised, there was no way to tell what had been broken, but he lay still drifting in and out of the tortured dreams brought on by the copious amounts of mead that the Scandians had given him to numb the pain of his hurts.
After Mylia stormed out the big ranger moved his head slightly and opened his right eye just a slit, then to the scandian at the door he whispered in a scratchy croak,
"What the hell was that all about? then he passed back into his stupor.
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 23, 2010 15:22:06 GMT -5
"Well of course I was worried about you! What, did you think I wasn't going to care what happened to you after hauling you out of a wreaked ship? No way hosea!"
Tory wasn’t sure what to think about that, or to say. Finally she said softly, looking down at her lap, “Well it is a new experience for me. No one has really ever cared that much before.”
Before Mylia could answer her, though, the Captain of the Knarr interrupted them.
Tory watched the Skandian Captain solemnly as he broke the not so good news. She glanced at Mylia to see how her friend was taking it. ‘Not so well,’ Tory thought and reached out her hand to pat Mylia’s knee in comfort. When the Captain was finished, Tory saw Mylia was fighting back tears and was surprised to find her own eyes were full of tears as well.
Suddenly Mylia stormed out and Tory wished she could follow to comfort her friend. She was alone for a few minutes and contemplated the situation. If not for Ringulf, she would be dead. He had jumped in and killed that bandit right before the killing blow would have fallen on her. He couldn’t die because he was protecting her – or be paralyzed either. It was her fault and she would never be able to live with herself if he didn’t recover fully.
She had never been much of one for religion, but she now sent a silent prayer up that someone up there would hear her and heal Ringulf so he would be all right and her friend would be happy again.
Then Mylia was back. Her face had the sheen of tears on it as she plopped down and said, "There."
Tory couldn’t move much, but she reached out her hand to Mylia and laid it on the other girls hand and gave it a squeeze. “He will be ok. He is a ranger and a tough ole buzzard. It is going to take more than a mast falling on him to keep him down for long.” She managed to say it with more conviction than she actually felt, but she had to believe it was true herself. What would the two of them do if he didn’t pull through? She would have to see that Mylia got back to Crowley safely. It would be the perfect opportunity to leave the Ranger Corps if she really wanted to, but she couldn’t abandon Mylia any more than she could abandon Chip back at the Araluen stable. She would go back, whether it was the best thing for her or not, she would make sure Mylia was safe.
Suddenly Tory’s stomach gave a mighty grumble and she withdrew her hand from Mylia’s and grabbed her stomach, her face turning red. She looked at Mylia with chagrin, “I am sorry! I know I shouldn’t have an appetite right now, but gee, how long has it been since I ate?” she laughed apologetically. “I hope Areeebjorn gets back here with that food soon.” Her stomach rumbled again as if echoing its agreement and Tory couldn’t help but snicker at herself. “Stop that!” She told her stomach firmly, shaking her finger at it.
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Post by Firehead on Sept 24, 2010 9:32:48 GMT -5
“He will be ok. He is a ranger and a tough ole buzzard. It is going to take more than a mast falling on him to keep him down for long.”
"We hope." Mylia muttered. She sniffed a few times, and swiped at the tears on her cheeks in a vain attempt to clear them away, but all she succeeded in doing was smearing the dirt on her face. She gave it up, not really caring, and straightened, taking a deep cleansing breath. "Been a long time since I've cried over anything. Probably the last time I did that was when my parents died." She swallowed hard, and composed herself. She would dwell on the sorrows later.
A loud growling sound from Tory interrupted her thoughts, and she looked up to find Tory, face going red as a beets, putting a quick hand on her stomach. "That was you?" Mylia blurted out incredulously. "Woah! You must be starving!"
“I am sorry! I know I shouldn’t have an appetite right now, but gee, how long has it been since I ate?” she laughed apologetically. “I hope Areeebjorn gets back here with that food soon.” Her stomach rumbled again as if echoing its agreement and Tory couldn’t help but snicker at herself. “Stop that!” She told her stomach firmly, shaking her finger at it.
That did the trick for Mylia: she let out a genuine chuckle, albit a little rough and gravelly. She found it theraputic and just continued, allowing herself to release the tension of the past few days through plain silly laughter. When finally she stopped, she looked at Tory grinning, and said, "Ari better get here quick by the sounds of it. Otherwise we can threaten that you'll start eatin' the ship itself---and that I'll help you do it!"
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Post by Ringulf on Sept 24, 2010 21:38:37 GMT -5
"Ari better get here quick by the sounds of it. Otherwise we can threaten that you'll start eatin' the ship itself---and that I'll help you do it!"
Just then as if by a magic summons Aribjorn followed by Ogmund came in bearing several large bowls of some kind of meal over which was some type of dark syrup that could have been honey he also carried two loaves of hard bread and a wheel of white cheese with a black rind. There was also a large skin of water and a small keg of short beer.
"Vell dis is de best ve can do for right dis moment I tink but be encouraged for ve are in sight of de port of Caravay! Ve vill most likely be tied up to de qvay vell before Midday! And ven ve get docked ve vill get Ringulf directly to a doctor."
Aribjorn smiled and tried to be encouraging but his face was not showing the certainty his voice was.
"De captain has asked me to see if eider of you know de Ranger in charge of Caravay fife, He said he will take you to him just as soon as we dock so he might be made avare of de situation and you can get your orders as vell as see vere to bring Ringulf.
Here dis is de last of the good beer ant vater we got from de springs off de beach in Picta, dat was a story in itself! and de oatmeal ant honey is goot for an empty belly but de breat is kinda hard I tink.
Ari and Ogmund set out the food before the two young ladies, After they ate Ari reached outside of the tent flap and pulled his both hands back inside and in each one was a furry ball of fluff and he placed one in Mylia's lap and one on bed next to Tory.
"Dees are Skoggkatts from my homelant ant I tink dey neet some freints, do you like kittens?" he asked them both with a chuckle, "It seems as doe dey like you I tink!"
Ogmund gave a snort and shook his head a bit as he looked at Ari. "You know dose could have fetched qvite a price here in de vest." he said low enough to Ari not to be heard by the girls.
Aribjorn stepped back a bit not to gently on Ogmunds foot.
"Ahh! Damn! I'm just sayin...said Ogmund as Ari cut in,
"I know dey do like de girls! dey have not responded like dat to anyvone yet, you are right Ogmund!
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 25, 2010 11:07:39 GMT -5
Tory looked at the door as a footstep sounded just outside on the heels of Mylia's comment and as if her stomach had conjured the Skandians, they appeared right on cue. Tory’s stomach rumbled again as she caught a whiff of the oatmeal and licked her lips in anticipation. She tried to ease up into a more upright position so she could eat, but found that her wound was being pulled open again just from her muscles contracting to keep her upright. She sighed in frustration as she looked around for something else to place behind her to help prop her up.
"De captain has asked me to see if eider of you know de Ranger in charge of Caravay fife, He said he will take you to him just as soon as we dock so he might be made avare of de situation and you can get your orders as vell as see vere to bring Ringulf."
Having gotten settled, Tory reached for the food and contemplated Ari’s question. She shook her head, “I don’t know the ranger here. Crowley just assigned a new one I think. I heard him mention something about it, but I wasn’t paying much attention.” She was beginning to see now why Patrick had told her that she always needs to pay attention, even when things didn’t directly pertain to her. She wracked her brain for a name, but could not remember if Crowley had mentioned one in her presence or not. Then she remembered another conversation back from the Yule ball.
“I think Ranger Tandar might still be here in Caraway. He was coming home for a funeral. I overheard him tell Lady Brandwyn the night of the ball.” Tory said thoughtfully. “He may have gone back by now though. His family might know where he is, if you can find them.” Tory didn’t think she was being very helpful. Never having been assigned to a fief with Patrick, her apprenticeship was hardly typical. She had picked up on some things though, in the brief time she had spent assisting Crowley while he decided what to do with her.
“You know, probably the best thing to do is send someone up to the castle to enquire of the Baron’s Chatelaine. He would be sure to know who the local ranger is and where to find him, as well as physicians. I believe the rangers are supposed to check in with the Baron’s upon assignment into their fief.” Tory said between gulps of porridge. The stuff was warm and she had smeared a generous helping of honey over the top, as well as all over the hunk of bread. It was simple food, but far better than she had seen many a day in her childhood back in Meric struggling as a servant for her hated mistress.
After they ate Ari reached outside of the tent flap and pulled his both hands back inside and in each one was a furry ball of fluff and he placed one in Mylia's lap and one on bed next to Tory.
"Dees are Skoggkatts from my homelant ant I tink dey neet some freints, do you like kittens?" he asked them both with a chuckle, "It seems as doe dey like you I tink!"
Tory looked in wonder at the kitten and reached out her hand to it, making a purr sound deep in her throat at the same time. The kitten sidled up to her and began rubbing her hand and licking her fingers. Its long fur was soft and its purring was loud enough to hear across the room. It walked up onto her chest, since she was now back in a lying down position, and began to kneed and turn in circles, preparing to lie down contentedly. It continued to purr and rub on her hand and Tory smiled at it. She had been so busy lately and had been on the run for months and the only animal companionship she’d had was her horse. With Chip gone, she had been missing the comfort she got from animals. This kitten was like a breath of fresh air to her.
"I know dey do like de girls! dey have not responded like dat to anyvone yet, you are right Ogmund!”
Tory looked up at him in surprise, “you mean they are ours? We can keep them?” She wasn’t sure what to think of that. They must be rather rare and rare animals were often worth quite a bit of money. Was it right for her to keep the kitten? She had been schooled that rangers should not accept gifts because then people think they had something over your head to use as leverage. A bribe is what Patrick had said. Tory studied the young Skandian for a moment. She didn’t think he was that type of person or that he had any intention to use the animals as a bribe. Surely it would be ok to keep the kitten.
“Thank you, Ari!” she nearly purred the words as she looked at him solemnly, the hint of tears of gratitude in her eyes, and then it was followed by a yawn. The kitten had curled up and was purring on her chest, just under her chin and the noise, combined with her full tummy was making her drowsy. She had the thought, as she started to drift off to sleep, that someone may have put something in that cup to make her sleep. Well, she thought, sleep will help me heal faster, so I suppose it is ok. She tried to fight to keep her eyes open, but they weren’t cooperating. Slowly she drifted off, stroking the kitten with her right hand.
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Post by Firehead on Sept 27, 2010 12:11:58 GMT -5
Ari entered followed by Ogmund. "Vell dis is de best ve can do for right dis moment I tink but be encouraged for ve are in sight of de port of Caravay! Ve vill most likely be tied up to de qvay vwell before midday! And ven ve get docked ve vill get Ringulf directly to a doctor."
Mylia glanced up at that. "We're that close?" she asked, surprised. The last time they'd come this way, it had taken them much longer, but then, boats did travel faster. Then her thoughts swung to Ringulf. "He'd better be alright." she muttered under her breath as she started spooning up the oatmeal and putting it away as fast as was reasonable. She had always been a quick eater--it was one of the main survival skills that one learned in the city. Eat it quick or someone else will eat it for you. "If he isn't....." she trailed off, scowling.
Aribjorn smiled and tried to be encouraging but his face was not showing the certainty his voice was.
"De captain has asked me to see if eider of you know de Ranger in charge of Caravay fife, He said he will take you to him just as soon as we dock so he might be made avare of de situation and you can get your orders as vell as see vere to bring Ringulf.
Mylia paused for a moment, squinting at the ceiling and thinking. "Erm.....I think...it might be....hm. Arg, I forget his name, but I do have an idea where we can find the Ranger's cabin. Just have to see if I remember how we got from there to town. It's outside of the village, I know that much....And opposite the castle." Mylia gave an abrupt nod of confidence, and went back to cleaning her bowl in record time.
"This is actually pretty good!" She didn't tell them that she was using her typical standard of comparing it to city street food.
After they ate Ari reached outside of the tent flap and pulled his both hands back inside and in each one was a furry ball of fluff and he placed one in Mylia's lap and one on bed next to Tory.
"Dees are Skoggkatts from my homelant ant I tink dey neet some freints, do you like kittens?" he asked them both with a chuckle, "It seems as doe dey like you I tink!"
Mylia's mouth dropped open slightly, as she stared at the orange-and-white kitten. It was large for a kitten, and had a mischivious look about it. She remembered one of the few stories Ringulf had told her about the Skandian gods. Loki, she thought to herself, I'll call him Loki.
"Thanks Ari." she replied, stroking the kitten's fur.
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 28, 2010 22:21:34 GMT -5
This thread is now closed. The story picks up on the Northern Fiefs board under Caraway in the thread Market Square on page 1.
The scene is the arrival of the Knarr Hamarr in Caraway and most of the crew has gone off into the city, leaving Aribjorn on the ship caring for the horses. The two ranger apprentices and ranger Ringulf are asleep on the ship as the Captain seeks out a doctor.
The story picks up in Market Square where Finn hails the ship and Aribjorn answers her.
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