Birthright Tuornen Chapter Four

[Adam]

Cormac shakes his head. "They didnae seem to be in a rush to leave, tha's fer sure," he grumbles. They was squattin' in the buildings in the village, like I said, when we were there. Now, might be tha' they were wantin' to just get oughta the rain, but I don' know. Might be that these gobs won't be leavin' till we drive 'em out."

He nods towards his pack. "Which is what I'm plannin' on doin, or at least doin' my part fer. Those gobs won't be havin' a comfortable stay here, so long as I have somethin' to say about it."

[ewancummins]

RANALD'S OFFICE

"Indeed my Lord! I am chagrined to discover that my reputation has not spread to these parts. I am a purveyor of illusions and delight! a dancer and a weaver of webs of enjoyment..."

She seems to realise this may not be the skillset he is looking for...

"... and I can wield other mighty magics as well..."

"Oh! How wonderful! I enjoy magic tricks, yes, and dancing too. “
His frown flips back to a little grin, “The people here need entertainment, merriment, some comfort in this bleak season. And if you can weave spells to confuse the goblins or to hide the paths to the manor-house--that would be ever better. "

[ewancummins]

FRONT HALL

Cormac shakes his head. "They didnae seem to be in a rush to leave, tha's fer sure," he grumbles. They was squattin' in the buildings in the village, like I said, when we were there. Now, might be tha' they were wantin' to just get oughta the rain, but I don' know. Might be that these gobs won't be leavin' till we drive 'em out."

He nods towards his pack. "Which is what I'm plannin' on doin, or at least doin' my part fer. Those gobs won't be havin' a comfortable stay here, so long as I have somethin' to say about it."

Gustbold replies,"You can expect help from me and some of the others, soon. For now, the lads are working for the squire or learning about fighting from Gunnar. That business before the rescue party went out...well, it was ill-done. But the man seems to know what he's about when it comes to fighting. And he's got Ranald's men at his back, that's for sure."

[kintire]

"Of course my Lord! I'll be happy to help. I can confuse and perplex any number of Goblins, and I'll be happy to entertain your people!"

[Adam]

Cormac shrugs. "Sounds like a good plan. No sense leavin' before ye're trained an' can defend yerselves. My crew are a nasty bunch o' cutters a'ready." He pauses, thoughtful for a moment.

"A couple o' yer boys tracked me down an' said they wanted to tag along too. They looked pretty green to me, but they seemed determined. Figure I'll take 'em an' do what I can to keep 'em away from the worst o' it until they're ready to hold their own. To tell the truth, they'd probably benefit from learnin' a thing or two from Gunnar. He an' I don' see eye to eye on some things, but he's a damn good fighter."

[ewancummins]

RANALD'S OFFICE-

"Of course my Lord! I'll be happy to help. I can confuse and perplex any number of Goblins, and I'll be happy to entertain your people!"

''Excellent."

The esquire sips again from his pewter goblet, and the sets it down.

"You may take my quarters. I'll have extra furs brought in if you like. This early in the year, we are still half in winter. I'm afraid hearthfires might alert the goblins by the smoke--unless you can do something about that."

[ewancummins]

FRONT HALL

Cormac shrugs. "Sounds like a good plan. No sense leavin' before ye're trained an' can defend yerselves. My crew are a nasty bunch o' cutters a'ready." He pauses, thoughtful for a moment.

"A couple o' yer boys tracked me down an' said they wanted to tag along too. They looked pretty green to me, but they seemed determined. Figure I'll take 'em an' do what I can to keep 'em away from the worst o' it until they're ready to hold their own. To tell the truth, they'd probably benefit from learnin' a thing or two from Gunnar. He an' I don' see eye to eye on some things, but he's a damn good fighter."

Gustbold grunts in agreement.
"Yup. We are all on the same side, anyhow. "

[Adam]

He nods. "The lads do seem determined to go, though. I guess they'll learn on the job."

"Tell ya what. We've got a plan to go an' check on a temple to Cuiracean, but shortly after maybe we can go check on yer house. If it's still there, is there anything you want us to grab? Might be that they haven't looted it yet."

[ewancummins]

THE GORGON'S CROWN , AN ALEHOUSE IN HAES


Roald waves his captured scarf/banner around, regaling anyone who will listen with tales of his adventures. But today most people seem more interested in hearing and speaking about the young duke's wild adventure in Riverside (which no two tales agree upon) and the archprelate's deeds on the battlefield.

A drunken soldier in the duke's livery waves his mug at Roald. His bloodshot eyes fix on Roald's features with a dim, beer-soaked look of recognition.
"Join me in a toast, noble sir..."
The man wobbles, rising to his feet. "To House Flaertes and Tuornen Forever!''

The folk crowded into the common room raise their mugs and join the toast.

[Varrus the Ethical]

Roald raises his mug while waving his banner, "May they bring us glory and gold! Especially the gold!"

[ewancummins]

FRONT HALL

He nods. "The lads do seem determined to go, though. I guess they'll learn on the job."

"Tell ya what. We've got a plan to go an' check on a temple to Cuiracean, but shortly after maybe we can go check on yer house. If it's still there, is there anything you want us to grab? Might be that they haven't looted it yet."

''That's kind of you, Cormac. If you do get into Fox Run and find my house--it's a little cottage on the north end with a tall pine in the back garden-- and you could fetch out my cedar chest and the big checkered quilt my wife's mother left us, that'd be a blessing."

[ewancummins]

THE GORGON'S CROWN, ALEHOUSE

Roald raises his mug while waving his banner, "May they bring us glory and gold! Especially the gold!"

After the toast, the drunken palace soldier moves to sit closer to Roald. The middle-aged, portly guard leans in as if to examine Roald's features in detail.
He slurs, "Do I know you, good sir?"

[Varrus the Ethical]

"You should! Though I am neither good nor a sir. I am Roald, I was the one that broke that cavalry charge short of the river gate."

[kintire]

Safana takes the news that she will be sleeping in the squire's quarters with a very slight pause but no visible surprise.

"You are very generous sir! As for the smoke, I could probably hide it for a while, but I would need to concentrate. Furs will do me well, for the time being!"

[ewancummins]

"You should! Though I am neither good nor a sir. I am Roald, I was the one that broke that cavalry charge short of the river gate."

The soldier shakes his head. "Forgive me, I mistook you for the duke's kinsman. You look like a Flaertes."