Birthright: Tuornen, Chapter Two

[ewancummins]

GUNNAR'S HOUSE

Morning has come, and the three men are ready for the road...

[Varrus the Ethical]

Roald pats the boy on the shoulder, relieved to see him, "Yes, nothing like having a war dropped in our laps. It's almost like the Gods have started to care. Lets take a seat, I think we've earned the chance to eat some more of the Duke food, eh?"

[RocEter]

Full armored and armed, Foerde wraps his fur cloak tightly and puts into one his saddle bags. Wrapping just a regular light dust cloak around his shoulders he leaves his room and gathers up Gael.

He checks her and her pack once over to make sure she has the things she needs, including the old Elven dagger he gave her. Satisfied he and Gael depart the house, he locks up the house and his work shop while Gael prepares Frost, his horse, in the stable. Once Frost is saddled and ready, Foerde picks up Gael and places her in the saddle. Grabbing the reins he leads Frost out on to the road.

Before they set off towards the Auld Oak, Foerde checks all the straps, buckles and the like. "If I don't return, Cuircaecen willing I do return, you have Master Brennan or the Sheriff ride you to temple of Cuircaecen in Alamsreft. You show them that dagger I gave you and you will be taken care of. You understand?" He says.

Once she nods yes, they set off. Foerde walking next to Frost and Gael.

[ewancummins]

MESSHALL

Roald pats the boy on the shoulder, relieved to see him, "Yes, nothing like have a war dropped in our laps. It's almost like the Gods have started to care. Lets take a seat, I think we've earned the chance to eat some more of the Duke food, eh?"

Reese grins wider as he takes a seat.

Roald has just finished his first mug when one of the men at the table shifts closer and claps him the back.
"Hey- you're, um, Rahl? We missed you on the wall, but the word is you had a bit of a scrap yourself. Is it really true you fought an enchanted statue? "

[JMaytr]

"Well, if Roald took it in single combat he is certainly capable. Do we know if he is blooded?"

Devlin recalls Roald, the sellsword who looks like my father..

"Either way, If Lady Dominica is a foriegn noble and we know little about her political ties than I find her appearence at court coincedental in its timing with the invasion. I honestly don't recall what, if anything I may have said to her during our time in bed, but I had little to do with any state affairs before that morning. I couldn't have told her much. I don't believe her a spy, but honey pots do sometimes hold bees. Hmmm. I think it best that we protect her as well....all the way back to Coeryanas. If this Roald got on with her so well, perhaps we can pay him to accompany her safely home. Her family may even warm to us through her protection and a true alliance struck."

but....what if Roald is my brother? The thought stings Devlin and his histories remind him that brothers often start the worst of wars when jealosy divides them.

"If Roald is successful in seeing her safely to her family, then tell him he will be rewarded upon his return to Haes."

A different thought invades his mind, perhaps brought on by Sir Rory's theory.

"Bring all the pieces of those wooden assassins to a secured chamber in the dungeons and solicit for a wizard. I want to know just how those damn things work."

[ewancummins]

Full armored and armed, Foerde wraps his fur cloak tightly and puts into one his saddle bags. Wrapping just a regular light dust cloak around his shoulders he leaves his room and gathers up Gael.

He checks her and her pack once over to make sure she has the things she needs, including the old Elven dagger he gave her. Satisfied he and Gael depart the house, he locks up the house and his work shop while Gael prepares Frost, his horse, in the stable. Once Frost is saddled and ready, Foerde picks up Gael and places her in the saddle. Grabbing the reins he leads Frost out on to the road.

Before they set off towards the Auld Oak, Foerde checks all the straps, buckles and the like. "If I don't return, Cuircaecen willing I do return, you have Master Brennan or the Sheriff ride you to temple of Cuircaecen in Alamsreft. You show them that dagger I gave you and you will be taken care of. You understand?" He says.

Once she nods yes, they set off. Foerde walking next to Frost and Gael.

The little party moves down the road towards the Auld Oak...

[Varrus the Ethical]

Roald tenses for a moment when the man pats him on the back. He wasn't accustom to castle guards being so social with him. He grunts and forces himself to smile. "Ah, yes. Some giant toy that Baubb made for the Duke. The old one, that is." Roald traces his finger along the cut in his cheek. "As you can see, it tried to give me a little shave."

[ewancummins]

"Well, if Roald took it in single combat he is certainly capable. Do we know if he is blooded?"

Devlin recalls Roald, the sellsword who looks like my father..

"Either way, If Lady Dominica is a foriegn noble and we know little about her political ties than I find her appearence at court coincedental in its timing with the invasion. I honestly don't recall what, if anything I may have said to her during our time in bed, but I had little to do with any state affairs before that morning. I couldn't have told her much. I don't believe her a spy, but honey pots do sometimes hold bees. Hmmm. I think it best that we protect her as well....all the way back to Coeryanas. If this Roald got on with her so well, perhaps we can pay her to accompany her safley home. Her family may even warm to us through her protection and a true alliance struck."

but....what if Roald is my brother? The thought stings Devlin and his histories remind him that brothers often start the worse of wars when jealosy divides them.

"If Roald is successful in seeing her safely to her family, then tell him he will be rewarded upon his return to Haes."

A different thought invades his mind, perhaps brought on by Sir Rory's theory.

"Bring all the pieces of those wooden assassins to a secured chamber in the dungeons and solicit for a wizard. I want to know just how those damn things work."

Sir Rory replies-

"I don't know if he is blooded. He seems to be a common sellsword, albeit better skilled at arms than most. But his looks are familiar...To be blunt, Your Grace, I almost begin to wonder if he might be a long-lost cousin of yours."

The Castellan continues-
"I will see that Lady Dominica is sent away, as Your Grace commands. I recommend that we keep Roald close till more is known of him. If he is some relation of yours, it would hardly do to have him be captured by the enemy. But as you say, he has shown himself capable and bold, and no doubt the prospect of a reward upon his return to Haes will motivate him. "

As soon as Devlin dismisses the old knight, Sir Rory goes to carry out his tasks...

[ewancummins]

MESSHALL

Roald tenses for a moment when the man pats him on the back. He wasn't accustom to castle guards being so social with him. He grunts and forces himself to smile. "Ah, yes. Some giant toy that Baubb made for the Duke. The old one, that is." Roald traces his finger along the cut in his cheek. "As you can see, it tried to give me a little shave."

Men gather round and press for more details...

[Varrus the Ethical]

As the men gather around, Roald clears his throat and begins to recount his battle with the toy. After that, his pride gets the better of him and he begins to boast about his battle at the tunnel. After that, he talks about his years as a mercenary, his many battles with elven raiders, and how he adopted Reese as he squire after he rescued the boy from a band of elves who had killed his family.

[ewancummins]

As the men gather around, Roald clears his throat and begins to recount his battle with the toy. After that, he pride gets the better of him and he begins to boast about his battle at the tunnel. After that, he talks about his years as a mercenary, his many battles with elven raiders, and how he adopted Reese as he squire after he rescued the boy from a band of elves who had killed his family.

The men gather round to hear Roald's tales of high (and low) adventure.

The soldiers and watchmen clap hands, pound dagger pommels on the table, and laugh out loud at various parts of his rambling, vulgar, and quite violent story.

When he finishes, someone shoves a foaming mug in his hands.
"More beer, for today we may all die with our boots on!"

[Varrus the Ethical]

"But not before I get paid!" Roald downs the mug and slams in on the table. "ANOTHER!"

[ewancummins]

"But not before I get paid!" Roald downs the mug and slams in on the table. "ANOTHER!"

'Another' has become at least two more mugs when the Castellan, Sir Rory, arrives.

''Roald--ah, I see you've sampled our famous beer--I have your pay here, and another job for you too.''

The old knight raises an eyebrow-

''If you think that you are fit for more work now, that is...''

[Varrus the Ethical]

Roald stands up, beer sloshing out of his mug as he staggers from the bench. "Sir Rory! You've arrived just in time to hear the best part of my story." He turns to the audience. "So, I arrive at Caer Haes with my prisoner when I find the most beautiful redhead drawing a sword on the Lord Castellan! Fortunately for the Castellan," Roald waves his mug at the assembled guards, spilling more beer. "the Duke's brave guardsmen were there to get between the Sir Rory and the comely wench that was attacking him!"

"Well, no sooner does she drop her sword then she begins to ramble about how women are weak or some such. After which, she strips naked right there in front of us. And let me tell you, it's not just the hair on her head that red!"

"Later, I'm given the dangerous task of guarding all the proper ladies of court while you brave young lads are out on the walls defending the Realm. And that same redhead is in the room with us. And you know the best part? She get's naked again! Right there in front of all the ladies of court! Just imagine the scandal!

Roald smiles as he turns back to Sir Rory, "Ah, did you just mention a job?"

[ewancummins]

The Castellan frowns...but slowly his lips curl into a smile. He snorts. He laughs.

"Yes, I have work for you. Come with me."

Once he has Roald away from the common soldiers, he tells the mercenary-

"The redheaded woman is going back where she came from, Roald. Coeryanys. Far to the east. The duke wants you to convey here there. Get her back to her family and return to Haes to collect your reward. "

He takes a pouch from his belt and removes several silver coins.

"Your pay for last night's duty. If you take the escort job, I'll see that you are given more money for the road, supplies in your saddlebags, and a letter of safe conduct. But you'd best leave soon, while the truce holds."