Birthright: Tuornen, Chapter Two

[Varrus the Ethical]

"I don't know..." Roald says, looking at the broken toy before turning to the guardsman. "You say another one like this attacked the Young Duke? How many of these things are there in this castle?"

[Lord Skybolt]

GUNNAR'S FARMSTEAD

Gunnar's farm sits off the road a ways, a few miles from the Auld Oak. The nightime ride passes in peace. Dietric barely speaks.

Warm, welcoming fire glow shows through an old-fashioned oilskin window in the front of the farmhouse. If the riders stare long enough, little puffs of white smoke appear over the chimney.

After Gunnar stables his mount and starts for the front of the house, the front door swings open. a petite woman in a simple peasant gown stands there in the soft light. The copper haired woman calls out-
"Gunnar! Where have you been? It's past midnight! I was worried sick. 'Just a quick pint, my love'--hah. And you brought your drunken comrades home with you? "

Dietric snickers, shoots a nervous sideways glance at Gunnar, and goes as silent as a churchmouse.

Gunnar's wife strikes a pose with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot against the floor a few times, and then chuckles in a good-natured but exasperated fashion.

"Well, for goodness sakes' get inside before another storm blows in. I'll put the stewpot back on the hearth fire-- I imagine there's enough for our guests if you don't eat your usual triple portion."

"The road house was attack by bandits, so I had to stay until we had driven them off . I will be leaving at first light with my companions here to take care of them for good ."Gunnar talks as he heads into the farmstead to get some late supper .

[ewancummins]

"I don't know..." Roald says, looking at the broken toy before turning to the guardsman. "You say another one like this attacked the Young Duke? How many of these things are there in this castle?"

''Um, well the big things Baubb made and gave to the Old Duke, that'd just the clown and the dancer, I think...."

The man scratches the back of his neck.

"I heard that the Young Duke had the all little toys smashed or boxed up or someting But who knows, maybe some of those are still about."

[ewancummins]

GUNNAR'S FARMSTEAD

Gunnar's farm sits off the road a ways, a few miles from the Auld Oak. The nightime ride passes in peace. Dietric barely speaks.

Warm, welcoming fire glow shows through an old-fashioned oilskin window in the front of the farmhouse. If the riders stare long enough, little puffs of white smoke appear over the chimney.

After Gunnar stables his mount and starts for the front of the house, the front door swings open. a petite woman in a simple peasant gown stands there in the soft light. The copper haired woman calls out-
"Gunnar! Where have you been? It's past midnight! I was worried sick. 'Just a quick pint, my love'--hah. And you brought your drunken comrades home with you? "

Dietric snickers, shoots a nervous sideways glance at Gunnar, and goes as silent as a churchmouse.

Gunnar's wife strikes a pose with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot against the floor a few times, and then chuckles in a good-natured but exasperated fashion.

"Well, for goodness sakes' get inside before another storm blows in. I'll put the stewpot back on the hearth fire-- I imagine there's enough for our guests if you don't eat your usual triple portion."

"The road house was attack by bandits, so I had to stay until we had driven them off . I will be leaving at first light with my companions here to take care of them for good ."Gunnar talks as he heads into the farmstead to get some late supper .

"Bandits!"
Jeyne steps up to Gunnar and begins inspecting him for injuries and fussing over him.

[Lord Skybolt]

"Nothing but a bruise woman ."Gunnar says as he rubs his shoulder where the handle of a weapon hit him . Gunnar goes to check on his war gear . Over his shoulder as he walks farther into farmstead he says to Cormac and Dietric:"Sit down and lets what in the stew pot warm up a bit . I will be right back ."

[steveflam]

"Sir Roald, a word if you please?" She walks over to a corner and waits for him to approach and parley.

[Varrus the Ethical]

"Yes, my lady?"

[steveflam]

"I was just pondering something. You see, you are a sellsword, or mercenary, if I am not mistaken. Is there a particular reason why you are hiding in here and not out there fighting."

[Varrus the Ethical]

"I was just pondering something. You see, you are a sellsword, or mercenary, if I am not mistaken. Is there a particular reason why you are hiding in here and not out there fighting."

"Sir Rory hired me to me to protect all the fine ladies in this room. Including you, my lady. I can't do that if I'm wandering around looking for a fight."

[Adam]

Cormac walks up to Gunnar's wife. "I'm Cormac Rogerson. Glad t' meetcha. This 'ere's my...hired man, Dietric."

He walks in and finds a seat at the table, pulling out a second chair for Dietric.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

RIVER GATE

Renn sends up a chair with the rest of his men. They may have been more a rabble than a true army, but by the gods they had shown the bastards today! He wonders who the stranger in plate armor was, and whether he'd prove to be a valuable ally or a rival...

He takes out a flask, allowing himself a rare celebratory drink, but then he sees Coll lying wounded. He calls out to the clerics of the Militant Order who'd fought at his side, hoping that one of them can heal Coll. Renn kneels at the watchman's side and offers him a sip from the flask. "Easy now lad, one of the priests can yank those splinters out. Leave you with nothing worse than scars and a story to tell. Drink," he says and puts the flask to Coll's lips, knowing this drink might be the man's last.

[ewancummins]

The River Gate-


The stranger in plate, his shield now hanging from his back, kneels beside Renn to lay hands on Coll. Garbled words in low tones seep through the grill of the stranger's visor.

The blood cases to flow from Coll's wounds. The stranger reaches with mail-clad hands and gently draws the bolts. Only pink, puckered flesh shows where deep puncture wounds had been.

The stranger doffs his helm, revealing gray, close cropped hair and sad, wise eyes.

Blinking, Renn recognizes the man from the Cathedral of Haelyn, the arch-prelate who had crowned Deviln Flaertes. A name comes into the northerner’s brain: Rhobher Nichaelir.
The old priest pats Coll on the shoulders.
“Rise, duty calls you.”

[ewancummins]

Gunnar's Farm-House


Jeyne, Gunnar's young wife, greets Cormac and Dietric warmly enough; any signs of her earlier shrewishness all gone now.

She serves the three men bowls of stew with carrots, potatoes, soft dumplings, and boiled chicken. A little rock salt and some butter add more flavor to the mix.No beer, but she fills them all cups of apple vinegar cut with spring water.

Gunnar tucks in without delay--

-- only to stop with a full mouth when Jeyne wraps a wooden spoon on the tabletop, bows her head a little, and intones-
"Cuireacen Stormlord, thank you for sparing the killing frost and sending just the right amount of rain, so we can enjoy this fine meal. And our thanks to your father, Haelyn the Just, for seeing that those nasty bandits were driven off and my Gunnar came home safe to me with his new friends. "

Dietric swallows and reaches for his spoon but pauses again when Jeyne raps the table again and continues-
"And may Nesirie the Mother send me a child, if it pleases her. I promise to leave generous offerings if you gods send us a good crop this coming season."

She looks around the table, a neutral expression on her dainty face.

"Well, go on and eat, you men. I can hear your bellies rumbling just like Gunnar’s horse whiffling before a ride. "

[Adam]

Cormac bows his head, and as Gunnar's wife finishes up, intones "And may Aerik keep this home safe, and keep the blessins o' the wild close at hand for those who've taken in this pair o' poor travelers."

He smiles at her and, at her permission, scoops up his spoon and begins scooping stew into his mouth, much of it dripping down into his beard. "Yer man didnae tell us much abou' hisself on the ride her, maam. How came yeh to live in this place?"

[ewancummins]

Cormac bows his head, and as Gunnar's wife finishes up, intones "And may Aerik keep this home safe, and keep the blessins o' the wild close at hand for those who've taken in this pair o' poor travelers."

He smiles at her and, at her permission, scoops up his spoon and begins scooping stew into his mouth, much of it dripping down into his beard. "Yer man didnae tell us much abou' hisself on the ride her, maam. How came yeh to live in this place?"

Gunnar's young, perky wife brushes a coppery strand of hair from her face and launches into her story-
"The farm has been in my family since we had a true emperor-- may the gods send us another--and 'cause my pa had no sons it was due to pass to me. Now, my Pa knew Gunnar from a stint as a hired bowman. Damned foolish men, risking their necks for a stranger's silver! It's not like fighting for your lord or your shire. Anyway, Pa knew that Gunnar had grown some good sense and was looking to settle down. They made a pact when I was thirteen, but the wars in the east dragged on, so I was married last year when I turned sixteen. Poor old Pa died in the winter-"

She sniffles, but not too much.

''So it's just me and Gunnar. Speaking of which-''

She turns to her husband.

"I hope you aren't going to be gone too long this time. There's a lot of work to do..."