Birthright Tuornen Chapter Four

[RocEter]

Foerde looks watches Gunnar with a curious expression on his face. Then looks at the boy who brought him to Gunnar. "Thank you, child." He says.

Turning his attention back towards Gunnar, he offers the large northern a toothy smile. "Did you call me here to challenge me to a duel Gunnar?"

[ewancummins]

BACK LOT, TRAINING GROUNDS


The men stare in shock at Foerde. Somebody whispers just loudly enough for Foerde to hear- "What is his problem with Gunnar, anyway? Shouldn't he be off fighting the goblins if he's a warrior -priest like he says? I thought we were all on the same side."

[ewancummins]

CORMAC, FRONT HALL


Cormac hears some of the women in the hall gossiping and griping; something about working in the garden, worried about the spring planting and whether they can grow enough food for the people at the manor.

The women gather tools and baskets and make their way outside...

[Adam]

Cormac spits out some tobacco juice before standing up to walk with the ladies.

"I know a thing or two abou' edible plants that're in the woods near here. Not much fer the farmin', but a mushroom stew won' do your menfolk any wrong, so long as yer careful wha' shrooms yer puttin' in it."

He goes on to detail some local flora that would make for good eating.

[ewancummins]

Cormac spits out some tobacco juice before standing up to walk with the ladies.

"I know a thing or two abou' edible plants that're in the woods near here. Not much fer the farmin', but a mushroom stew won' do your menfolk any wrong, so long as yer careful wha' shrooms yer puttin' in it."

He goes on to detail some local flora that would make for good eating.

The women gather round and listen to Cormac's practical advice...

[VAN]

Filbert listens carefully but for now prefers to remain silent. The news about the goblins invasion were bad especially at this time when Haes has lost many soldiers at Alamn's invasion. Infact this wasn't a good time to split their forces, because yes Duke Carlion might offer a truce but when he hears that there is war still going on with the goblins might try to invade again or this could be always a plan from the beginning...

Filbert stands up at his chair so everyone can see him, clears his throat and says:

"I'm sorry to interrupt Your Grace, but I think you may want to consider the possibility that Duke Carlion might be behind the goblins invasion. It is a big coincidence that both invasions happen exact same time and the Duke Carlion left in great hurry without offering immediately truce but just taking time. Maybe he waits to see how we will handle the goblins invasion, if we will send more men up there which will mean we will have less here to defend the palace."

[ewancummins]

THE COUNCIL AT CAER HAES

Filbert listens carefully but for now prefers to remain silent. The news about the goblins invasion were bad especially at this time when Haes has lost many soldiers at Alamn's invasion. Infact this wasn't a good time to split their forces, because yes Duke Carlion might offer a truce but when he hears that there is war still going on with the goblins might try to invade again or this could be always a plan from the beginning...

Filbert stands up at his chair so everyone can see him, clears his throat and says:

"I'm sorry to interrupt Your Grace, but I think you may consider the possibility that Duke Carlion might be behind the goblins invasion. It is a big coincidence that both invasions happen exact same time and the Duke Carlion left in great hurry without offering immediately truce but just taking time. Maybe he waits to see how we will handle the goblins invasion, if we will send more men up there which will mean we will have less here to defend the palace."

Count Montros cackles.

"The little jester speaks wisdom, Your Grace. And if the goblins of the north are on Duke Carilon's payroll, all the more reason to arrange a truce. We must safeguard this city and this province. It is the heart of your realm. Can we wage war on two fronts and expect to win? Yet surely we must deal with with the goblins."

[JMaytr]

"It's possible the goblins took advantage of my forces leaving to invade. It's a risk, but one goblins might take. If they are in league with Alam, he won't be able to give them what they promised them. Count Ghonallison and his knights are already marching back to home, and I have pikemen moving there from Pechalinn. These orders were sent while the seige was still in effect. There is no immediate need to move any additional forces. Meanwhile I still have a unit in Hildon. I could pull them back as well, but untill we can assess what size a force is there, two units may be suffecient. We should send a rider to find out more, and to find out why Hotspur hasn't arrived."

[Lord Skybolt]

Foerde looks watches Gunnar with a curious expression on his face. Then looks at the boy who brought him to Gunnar. "Thank you, child." He says.

Turning his attention back towards Gunnar, he offers the large northern a toothy smile. "Did you call me here to challenge me to a duel Gunnar?"

"Duel you say, now that would not be fair to you . As you have misplaced your armors and armor some how along the way . And for another thing, would I being removing my armor if I was challenging you to a duel . hahaha "Gunnar says and laughs such foolish question as he finishes taking off his field plate with the help of his assistant .

"No, your here to help me instruct the men in some unarmed combat training, because sometimes a solider lose his weapon in a big fight so needs to know how to handle himself with just his fists ."As Gunnar is talking he moves into the improvised training circle motioning Foerde to follow for some training . Gunnar waits for "the huntsman/Foerde" to come to him in the circle Gunnar has no weapons on him and no armor whatsoever even his under padding from his armor he does not wear just . Just tunic and some pants is all . All his normal weapons that he wears on him during day such as his daggers and his bastard sword are with his armor at least 50ft away .

[ewancummins]

One of the men comments-
"Boxing match, this ought to be good."

[RocEter]

Foerde looks watches Gunnar with a curious expression on his face. Then looks at the boy who brought him to Gunnar. "Thank you, child." He says.

Turning his attention back towards Gunnar, he offers the large northern a toothy smile. "Did you call me here to challenge me to a duel Gunnar?"

"Duel you say, now that would not be fair to you . As you have misplaced your armors and armor some how along the way . And for another thing, would I being removing my armor if I was challenging you to a duel . hahaha "Gunnar says and laughs such foolish question as he finishes taking off his field plate with the help of his assistant .

"No, your here to help me instruct the men in some unarmed combat training, because sometimes a solider lose his weapon in a big fight so needs to know how to handle himself with just his fists ."As Gunnar is talking he moves into the improvised training circle motioning Foerde to follow for some training . Gunnar waits for "the huntsman/Foerde" to come to him in the circle Gunnar has no weapons on him and no armor whatsoever even his under padding from his armor he does not wear just . Just tunic and some pants is all . All his normal weapons that he wears on him during day such as his daggers and his bastard sword are with his armor at least 50ft away .

Foerde shakes his head. "Not all duels require armor, Gunnar." He says. "Were you a true Tuor you would know this." He says to the large man.

Foerde begins casting a spell, he chants in Andu and moves his hands and arms around. Suddenly his arms and hands grow in size and girth. The fur on his arms becomes thicker and more beast like, and his fingers turn into razor sharp claws.

"As a priest of Cuiraecen we are never truly unarmed." He says showing his beast claws. "As you can see I am not the best candidate for this instructional session in unarmed combat." He says to Gunnar as if stating a simple fact. "Perhaps some one along your skill level would be better, after all I wouldn't want to accidentally cause you harm, I would suggest Lord Ranald."

Uttering a command in Andu, Foerde's hands and arms return to normal.

[Lord Skybolt]

"Now I was just wanting friendly match since most men would not have time to cast spells in time to arm themselves in in case of losing a weapon on the field of battle . So come on now your not afraid are you ? "Gunnar says with a smile in response to Foerdes use of a spell to obviously give himself an unfair advantage in this training match .

[RocEter]

"What are your motives here, Gunnar?" Foerde says placing his normal hands in front him. "If this is supposed to be a friendly match for instructional purposes, then what has fear to do with this?" He says questioning Gunnar's motives. "This is not about fear, it is about skill. It would be unfair of me to fight you, your skills do not match my own."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Renn listens to the talk of goblins with a growing look of anger on his brow. Not fear or grief, only anger. But then his face grows impassive ans he speaks. "Aye, the goblins could be in league with Alam. Or they could be taking advantage of our situation. I've fought those little savages from one end of the Ghonallison border to the other. We'd all be better off if we could burn them out of their hovels like farm rats. We must strike against their incursion. The men of Ghonallison were the first to recognize Tuornen's independence--it would be dishonorable to let my people's lands fester. Perhaps my Lord Father is already quashing the goblins. But we must be prepared to send more troops if need be."

"As for Alam...were it not for the goblin invasion I'd say we press home against him and wipe him from the Book of Names. But perhaps statecraft is the better strategy until we can secure my father's holdings. Send me along on the mission to treat with Alam, Grace. I know the subtle dance of diplomacy, and I can keep an eye out for things that others might miss. Signs of weakness and the like."

"And there is still the matter of The Toymaker and the note we received." Renn pauses a moment to remember the lines.

"Let the red dawn surmise
What we shall do,
When this blue starlight dies
And all is through"

"I've no bloody idea what that means, but the note looked to be torn out of some book--maybe a magical book by the looks of the scrawling. Whatever it is, we'd do well not to ignore it." He looks at the priests. "That stanza ring a bell with either of you?"

[Lord Skybolt]

"I never said it had anything to do with fear I just made the normal comment to people who don't want be instructed by me in unarmed combat is all . But on the question of skill we shall see won't we ."Gunnar says with smile as he is waiting for "the huntsman" to come into the fighting ring that Gunnar has been waiting in .