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Post by Elrid Acfream on Jan 15, 2017 22:57:02 GMT
Word had hurried through Acholt like its wolfhounds on a hunt. Elrid, daughter of the king, was being crowned queen of the Acholt on midsummer's eve. It had spread through Acholt itself, with many of the people planning to set aside the time needed to make the journey through the woods and fields to her home in the heart of the country. Even the traveling merchants had taken the word out to the neighboring kingdoms. All were invited to celebrate with all of the hospitality the Acholt could give.
Elrid herself was deeply immersed in the planning and preparation. Her home was not normally meant to host such events, so she set about expanding it and its small village. Ground was clear, stumps uprooted and reseeded with turf. Another long-house was erected and a clearing for visitors to camp.
Hunters roved the woods, even onto the low shoulders of the mountains themselves, in search of game. It was smoked and preserved in foreign spices and preserved in cool cellars. Traders went out into the land, seeking what exotic foods they could find to bring back to the people of the oak. And so the days rolled past, as the small home slowly turned into a queen's capital. A small capital, but a capital nonetheless.
Turf buildings were raised and dirt paths beaten down and lined with stones. Decorations were carved and Elrid grew increasingly fidgety, especially as they got down to a week before the ceremony. Guests were beginning to arrive from Acholt and the nearby lands. Merchants and entertainers parked their caravans in the surrounding forests.
Her household strung lights from tree to tree, turning the wood into a softly lit summer festival. Festivities were beginning.
Elrid leaned against the wood railing at the back of her longhouse, gazing down into the foamy river beneath. It tumbled and sang amidst the rocks and roots that protruded from the river's edge. If she looked really carefully, she could just make out the shapes of mountain trout swimming against the current.
Its song soothed her as she sought to compose her own song for the ceremony, one of blessing and good-will to all who visited. It had to be perfect and she had no idea how to compose it. Normally, it was simple, but not this time. Elrid let out a hmmph and turned from the river, striding into her chamber, past the screened door and into the main room. Cooks bustled about, working on the food while some of the women wove a tapestry. Elrid ducked between them all, pausing and dodging to get to the oak doors without being noticed.
It worked! She slipped out into the open air of the village. The air was heavy and wet, with a tingle that ran up and down her spine. A storm was coming, by the feel of it, but not for a few more hours. That was more than enough time to get out and explore the encampments and meet her guests.
She set off, ducking from building to building to avoid being recognized as the soon-to-be queen. People always treated her differently when they knew who she was and it frustrated her. Sure, she was queen, but that didn't mean she wasn't... her.
Wind rustled in the branches and she grinned, skipping off into the woods where the foreigners were. There had to be some excitement there.
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Post by Pern on Jan 16, 2017 0:00:33 GMT
Cluck cluck. "Walk on." It was several days travel to reach the realm of Acholt - one of Elbion's neighboring Kingdoms on the other side of the mountains. There were few paths readily accessible by cart and horse so it was the long-way-round that had to be taken. Travel by day, camp by night. What would have been a normal journey for Pern, and one she had taken many times in her life already, had turned into something a little stranger thanks in part to her new traveling companion. Kaelen Silverblood of Mystmarch had, somehow, convinced Pern that leaving her home and only family to travel abroad was a good idea. It wasn't the traveling Pern was concerned about, it was the everything else she was leaving behind. The safety and comforts of Elbion were hard beaten by one who rarely left its walls. And yet the intrigue of the faraway foreign and the vast realm of Ardell she'd never experienced remained the juicy carrot on a stick. Short of her intense interest in Kaelen's sword and the metal with which it was forged - a convinced Orc she was. "We cannae go yet," she'd told him several days ago, "I have shomething I musht shee to firsht." Naturally upon learning of the rising Queen of Acholt, Kaelen insisted on going, too. So there they were: cart, pony, foreign dignitary and an orc, dallying down the forest road and into the encampments where the visitors would stay for the duration of the ceremony. Pern fidgeted with Ignatius' amulet now safely hung around her neck by a brass chain as they came upon boarder guards ... rather, hunters with clean garb and axes, who called them to a stop. "Good day, travelers, what is your business in the Kingdom of Acholt?" "Yesh," said Pern as she searched the inner pockets of her travel jacket and produced a roll of parchment with the Seal of Elbion upon it, "I represhent Elbion and come baring giftsh for the new Queen of Acholt." "And this is your Guard?" one man read the letter while the other approached the cart from the other side to question Kaelen.
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 16, 2017 0:26:53 GMT
The trip to Elbion had been....successful. That is the word that the Council and High King would use to describe it at least. Kaelen would have described it as being frustrating. A certain orcess just wasn't getting that he was interested in more than business the whole time. But he had convinced her to join him at Mystmarch so that she could experience more of the world and not have her talents wasted by the Guilds of Elbion. He also might have wanted to try to get something through her thick skull, but that was only part of the reason why. After having sent his escorts back home with word of how things went, Kaelen had journeyed with his new companion to this kingdom called Acholt. It seemed they were having a new Queen crowned, which did indeed peek his interest. If she was being crowned that likely meant she was young and just come of age. Too young for him, but getting an idea of who all was out in Ardell was always a wise decision. They might have something of value for Mystmarch to use or need something that Mystmarch was offering. Despite all of his attempts, Kaelen was not able to convince his female companion to get a dress for the event. He had offered to pay for it as well, so all Pern would need to do is seen a tailor. Yet that offer had been declined utterly, just like his attempts at getting her into a more intimate mood. Hopefully this party would go better than the trip to Elbion had on that front. Then they were approached by guards as they came to the kingdom's borders. The guards questioned them and Pern was handling things well enough. His identity was asked, and he knew exactly what he wanted to say. "Yes, I am her guard. I guard her chastity from all of those who would dare prey upon her." Kaelen said with an impish grin as he patted her shoulder. "Hopefully none of you men are thinking of anything indecent to do to the lovely orcess....Because I certainly am." Kaelen left things with a little wink. He certainly wasn't a little frustrated at all of the obliviousness until this point. Nope, not at all. Elrid Acfream
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Post by Pern on Jan 16, 2017 0:36:43 GMT
Pern leveled Kaelen Silverblood with a squinting gaze. "Noh," said the Orc as she held out her clawed hand for the return of her scroll. The two Guards exchanged glances and one of them chuckled. "He ish an Emisshary of Myshtmarsh," she corrected him, tucking away the rolled parchment, "you will have to excushe hish shensh of humor, he ish foreign." "Ash you shay, Mish Oshric," one of the Guards waved them on. Pern nodded and clucked after the cart pony, only realizing minutes later as they drove into the encampment that the Guard had thrown her lisp back at her. She snorted indignantly and rapped the cart pony on the rear with the driving reins a littler harder than necessary, "Elbion ish in good shtanding with Acholt, pleash do not tarnish our reputashun with your lewd remarksh."
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 16, 2017 2:02:12 GMT
Kaelen eyed the guard who had just mocked Pern way of speaking. That man had just dared to make fun of her for having a lisp. Did he honestly think he could treat a lady that way and not have someone correct him on it? He was doing his best to resist the urge to do something while he watched the guard from the corner of his eye. The pair was still mocking the orcess even after they had left. That was getting on his nerves. The woman was lovely and warm hearted, yet they were acting as if she was nothing more than a source of laughter. It took Pern snorting for Kaelen to finally look back to her. As she spoke, he half listened to her. His mind was already made up by this point. He said to her, "Certainly. I will be on my best behavior. Now excuse me for a moment." Kaelen jumped off of the cart as it moved, and rolled back up to his feet as he hit the ground. He dusted himself off as he hurried over to the pair of guards still barely in sight. His steps were purposeful and readied for conflict. Anyone use to fighting would recognize his stride as that of someone heading into battle. For Kaelen, it was one. It was a battle for Pern's honor, and he would not deal with any insult to it. She might be fine with the mockery, but he was not. Hopefully these guards were not as stupid as they seemed before, because Kaelen was not going to put up with anymore stupidity from them. "Gentlemen, may I have a word?" Kaelen called out as he approached. A smile was on his face, but it could not be called friendly. "I think I heard you say something to my companion earlier, but I couldn't hear it clearly. Care to enlighten me on what that was?" The pair noticed Kaelen's stance as they turned to face him. Their guards went up as he spoke, but their confidence was not shaken for long. Two against one was in their odds after all. The one who had remained silent before looked to his friend, but kept up his quiet behavior. The joker spit in Kaelen's direction before saying, "I said, 'Ash you shay, Mish Oshric.' What you going to do about it?" "That's what I thought you said." Kaelen said half to himself as he came in close to them. Suddenly, Kaelen was on them with a long step and took a pop shot at the one who had spoken's throat. As he gasped for air, his friend tried to draw his weapon but was met with an elbow to the face. He fell back to the ground clutching his now broken nose. Kaelen tackled the first guard to the ground and began to ring him with a series of blows to the face. His fists hammered the poor fool like a smith did metal against an anvil. In both cases, it was to temper them to a better state. Once the man had started to beg for mercy while tears and blood rolled down his face, Kaelen finally stopped. He got off of him and said, "I expect an apology for the lovely lady is in order. A damn good apology. Do you understand me?" The guard just nodded his head up and down as he crawled back away from the March man a ways. Kaelen smiled down to the both of them after and said, "Good. Next time you mock Pern, I will not be so kind." He then began to walk back in the direction the cart had been going. The skin on his knuckles was torn and blood while his elbow was beginning to bruise up. Elrid Acfream
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Post by Pern on Jan 16, 2017 2:14:05 GMT
To be certain she was garnering looks from the people she carted by. Wasn't often one witnessed the presence of an Orc without some sort of trouble following suite. Just so happened it was but the Orc wasn't the one causing it. Pern clucked the pony on, looking for an open area to set up camp. Surely the city of Acholt was filled with visitors already, it was no surprise they had spilled out into the minor towns of the valley as well. Pern didn't bother asking for the local Inn - certain that it would be full up already - and settled in an empty corner nearby what looked to be a family of dwarves. By the time Kaelen Silverblood found her she had already unpacked half the cart and began setting up the tent. She blinked golden eyes at his red face and furrowed brow. "Everything OK, Shir Shilverblood?" she asked after him quietly while offloading a large crate.
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Post by Alexandra Feanor on Jan 16, 2017 5:59:42 GMT
Alexandra had arrived before the other two, her eyes watching the eventful occurrence at the gate with a smile and watching the pair who are far different in appearance. She enjoyed watching others, made her feel like it was still the past, and she pulled the silver cloak tightly around her body and face before turning and walking away, two attendants keeping pace with her, the Sigil of the Broken on the front of the surcoats they wore. Her eyes did glance back over to the two for another moment, watching them start up their conversation once more before continuing with the rest of the place. Acholt, it was far different from her home in Gyn and certainly an interesting place. To say she did not see woods like this would be lying as Gyn was in similar place yet it was interesting how different these people set up compared to her own. Soon enough though she saw someone young ducking in between people and buildings, avoiding others and skirting around the place. It was Elrid Acfream, but Alexandra did not realize that quite yet as she watched the woman with a small smile, interested in what she was doing. She had enjoyed running about the streets when hiding her appearance, but this girl actively avoided being seen which suggested she was avoiding someone or a group of someones. She chuckled again and waved off her two guards before moving into the encampment herself and following the woman with her cloak still tight around her, only the faintest hint of a pommel poking out hinting at others to leave her be. It would not take her long to catch up to Elrid, considering the fact that she had no worries about hiding and could walk about without sneaking. Soon enough she would round a corner and clear her throat, looking at the woman. "Hello."
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Post by Elrid Acfream on Jan 16, 2017 6:13:10 GMT
Elrid looked back over her shoulder- none of her household had managed to catch sight of her. She let out a deep breath and hurried towards the encampment, but stopped. Footsteps padded behind her, cracking a branch. The young woman stopped and turn, frowning, but stopped herself as a massive wolfhound padded up to her and nuzzled against her side. "Gefara!" Elrid exclaimed, but caught herself, lowering her voice and kneeling beside the shaggy dog. "I hope you didn't let them know where I was?" The dog whined and pushed against her hands. She chuckled and scratched the dog's ears. "Of course you wouldn't." She stood and wandered through the encampment, stopping to study the wares. There were musicians playing instruments she had never seen before- distant strains and bouncing melodies wove through the branches, along with distant barks of concern. She tilted her head and Gefaral growled, ears flat against his head. "Easy, boy," she whispered, curling her fingers into the dog's fur. "I have no doubt all things will be resolved." Voices called out through the woods and her hunters began calling to each other. Sh frowned and moved past the musicians. There was time to return and hear them later, and unless she was mistaken, they were meant to perform at the ceremony anyways, right before her own song. She blanched again, but pushed it away from her mind. There was still time for that. Traders stepped out from their wagons, offering their wares, but Elrid's attention was focused on the calls and barks. That was something different. She stopped and turned around as a group of hunters rushed past, heading towards where the path entered this area of woods. "Adair," she called, hurrying towards the lead hunter. He was an older man, hair streaked with silver and a scar tracing its way across his face. "What has happened?" They stopped in surprise, eyes opening in surprise. "Elrid," Adair began, "What are you doing out here?" His hand shifted on the axe had he slung over his shoulder. The man frowned at her. She shrugged. "I wanted to meet the travelers before they know me as queen." The men shrugged, but hurried off, Adair pausing and leaning in a whisper. "Be careful, a man assaulted Aelfstan at the guard post," Adair's voice was grim. "Apparently over something he said." Elrid grimaced and shrugged. "Well, it was about time," she added as an after-thought, still frowning, "But assaulting someone over words when he is serving as a guard is..." She trailed off as she considered. A guard was meant to be serve as a representative of the law and order in the society. To insult a guest was to insult the ruler, in this case, her. But to assault a guard? That was also an assault on the ruler, also her. That made it treason from one of her people and war or assassination from an outsider. Either way, it was a serious charge. It was something she would have to deal with as queen and do it well and justly. The question was what that best way would be. She nodded and Adair hurried off again, following the others into the woods at they sought out this assailant, slipping through the trees as quickly as shadows, speaking to the other guests in search of someone who fit the description. They'd ask everyone in the camps- winding through until they found them. Elrid trailed behind them, listening to their queries, polite and respectable as she expected from her people. Acholt was a wild forest- with many dangers and hazards for the unwary and her hunters serving as guards were responsible for the safety of the foreigners who came to visit. Someone cleared a throat, and Elrid jumped in surprise. "Hello," the voice said. She turned, holding back the surprised dog, who growled in surprise. "Welcome," Elrid replied, regaining her composure the best she could, "I take it you have just arrived in Acholt?" Pern Alexandra Feanor Feanor Kaelen Silverblood Silverblood
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Post by Alexandra Feanor on Jan 16, 2017 6:30:27 GMT
Alexandra couldn't fault the creature for surprising it and its master, looking down at the dog with interest in its appearance. She had seen a few others like it but something that interested her seemed to the way they responded to their Handlers. She would be interested in learning about why they acted in the way they did but left that thought to the back of her mind. First came the woman's question, inquiring if she had just arrived in Acholt. "No not in the last few hours. We had to travel quite a ways, so we were quick to come and make sure everything was together." Alexandra answered, resting her eyes on Elrid's before smiling. "If I might ask, your people are quite different in how things were when we came here. Why is it you seem so separated?" She asked a simple question for now, reserving her more important inquiries for later such as the opinion of this woman's ruler and what she was doing. Alexandra had missed the conversation she had had with the man, having been too far to catch a single word even with her hearing. There was another question though that made her curious and she waited for the woman to respond to her first before she would continue. "The creature, well, the dog if I'm not wrong. What is it exactly? They seem a bit more intelligent than a normal beast." She asked with an interested tone, dropping her eyes to it and lowering herself a bit where the cloak pooled at her feet and she could look at it a bit more. Elrid Acfream
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 16, 2017 6:41:50 GMT
Kaelen just smiled to Pern as he came up to the campsite that was already being set up. She seemed to have noticed his condition a bit, but he was hoping to gloss it over if he could. He waved off her concern as he said, "Fine, just my knuckles fell onto something stupid is all. I will get the rest of those crates. Why don't you just get a rest and join me once I got all the crates off?" There was some cloth he could use to clean his hands after he got the rest of those crates unloaded. Kaelen wasn't sure what the orcess would think if she learned of what he did to those men, but he didn't think she needed to know right now. Better she focus on giving that gift to the crowned Queen and get told just how impressive her craftsmanship was. He was impressed with it, and he was familiar with arms and armor due to his work as a Commander. He would use it and encourage his men to use it as well if she made him equipment. While he was getting the last crate unloaded, a bit of a stir seemed to pick up in a few camps down. He looked in the direction as he got his crate moved where it needed to go. This got a brow raised as it seemed a group of guards was questioning others. A tally of who was here and a security measure to get a general idea of who might or might not be a threat. No that didn't feel right. These people were not very well trained. The meeting with the two guards was proof enough of that. There was a more direct reason they were going from camp to camp, but why was still unknown. "Pern. Something is going on, if you hadn't already noticed." Kaelen said as he moved closer to the orcess. "Keep your eyes open and keep close. I will make sure nothing happens to you." Elrid Acfream Alexandra Feanor
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Post by Elrid Acfream on Jan 16, 2017 6:53:19 GMT
Alexandra Feanor Kaelen SilverbloodElrid regained her composure, even hiding the extent of her puzzlement. Separated? What exactly did she mean by that? If anything, it sounded more like a question for the Storied of their people to share and answer, if it dwelt with their history and origin as the Acholt. Not did she have an idea where the woman came from, so she could hardly answer that either. But she could something about the recent history. "We were always separated," she began, frowning as she tried to remember the stories told of their history and where they came from. "Out stories tell of a time when we fled a great darkness across the mountains and settled to hide within the Acholt. There we were when the Enoire found us, already foresters. We were poor and did not have much they desired but lumber and carved crafts. So they elect us as we were, taking our lumber and leaving us alone. I could tell you no more than that." She he smiled as the woman bent lower to look at Gerafel and Elrid knelt beside the dog, his shaggy head towering above her own in that position. She scratched his chin and his tongue lolled out of its mouth. "This is Gerafel," Elrid answered, "He's a wolfhound. We take them with us on our hunts. They track prey and help bring it down. When wolves threaten our homes in the winter, they help protect us. As for intelligence..." She gave the beast a mischievous look and he flopped over on his belly. "Each person raises their own as soon as they are weaned, training and caring for them for their entire lives." She looked back up to the other woman. "So I can not judge if they are more intelligent than others or just more trusting of their owners." She stood and patted Gerafel's flank. "You travelled far, you say. Where from?" She looked up as the guards moved from camp to camp, tracing their shadowy figures through the trees. They stopped at a nearby camp, nodding as the dwarves spoke softly and then made their way back away from the camps, heading toward the village. As they passed, Adair gave her a nod and slight gesture with the ax-haft towards the campsite. Elrid returned it with a small hand gesture. Just a clenching of all but two fingers. In most cases the hunter's language was used, it meant they had found their prey. Now it meant much the same thing.
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Post by Alexandra Feanor on Jan 16, 2017 7:57:34 GMT
Elrid AcfreamAlexandra listened to the woman talks about the creature and smiled as she learned about the way they trained these beings. Her friend's collection would certainly be incomplete without one of the wolfhounds, but if it was anything like the creatures they had in Gyn, they were not so easily controlled. In all honesty, it looked like Elrid and Gerafel knew what the other was thinking from where she stood. He focus was brought back to the front when Elrid talked to her now, and she smiled, about to speak and catching the movement of her focus. It was a small thing, and she was hesitant to follow the shift in gaze. Instead, she noticed the hand but merely answered the question instead of asking her own. "I am from a petty kingdom in the South actually, resurrected after the splintering of the greater empire. The city I rule from is nestled in the fork of the Calrou River's split; its name is Gyn. It's not as far as Tyre or the western cities, but it is no leisure walk either. Far different from your home." She looked back at the main building, looking it over again before returning her focus once more to Elrid. "I apologize, I do not believe I introduced myself. Alexandra, The Silver Lady. The title is a bit obvious from my dress. Thank you for entertaining my questions thus far, I am sure you are busy today considering it is the crowning of your queen today." She said this with ignorance of who Elrid was or even her name. Alexandra had been wondering about the soon to be queen already, but mentioning it had brought new questions to her mind. She mostly wanted to know about who this soon to be queen was as a person and what she could expect from this northern realm. She was unsure what to expect from these peoples, though she had figured out a bit on the way here and from this woman so far.
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Post by The Bastard Duke on Jan 16, 2017 18:11:00 GMT
The guards at the entrance squinted at the armoured approach of the Aureus delegation, their trepidation almost as palpable as the lingering scent of blood and testosterone that lingered in the air around the guard post. Clad in a set of pristine full plate, surcoat emblazoned with the grim looking grey hawk of Ferrum, the Duke could not fault them for feeling a little concerned. The fact the man was flanked either side by a pair of similar dressed armsmen likely made them wonder if these were here as welcomed guests or to occupy the place.
In an attempt to dissuade them from trying to put a pike through his face, the Duke affected what he hoped would count as a winning, polite smile of reassurance as he and his entourage closed the distance at a lazy trot. The thin scars creasing his upper lip giving the expression just a touch too much of a grimace like quality to really be successful in that endeavour.
Yet it was enough to prompt the smaller of the gaggle of guards attending the entrance to step forward, albeit with an air of caution and reluctance that made it quite obvious it wasn’t completely by choice. A hesitant hand was extended towards Ser Somin, ostentatiously the least intimidating member of the trio and coincidentally the one bearing the invitations.
As the guard studied the elegant scrawl and tried to authenticate the various seals the document bore, the Duke allowed his attention to wander past the guard post, a brow lofting slightly as his golden hued gaze settled on a pair of rather battered and bruised looking men-at-arms. No doubt the source of that coppery metallic tang, not to mention the current state of alert and unease that was practically radiating out from their fellow comrades even now.
“Forgive me, your grace.” The Guard broke in, neatly folding the invitation and passing it back to the armsman. “We had not received word that Aureus would be sending a delegation.”
“Yes. That makes two of us.” Rolan smiled again, his second a little more effective than the first. The guard didn’t flinch this time around at least. He nodded towards the deshevilled figures, a serving girl now appearing on the scene to try to tend to the men’s wounds. “I trust there are no issues that I should be aware of? I had thought Acholt to be a place of peace, yet…”
“Ah, there was a minor… misunderstanding with the Elbion delegation. Nothing to concern yourself with, your grace. If you continue on, the lads in the corral will see you squared away. Enjoy the festivities.”
Elbion, eh? That had to be a first. Who knew those pomped up little merchants had it in them? And to think, he had been worried about how his own men comparted themselves.
“Gratitude,” The Duke replied amiably, tracing two fingers down the length of his pauldron as he led his clicked his mount onwards. The motion innocuous enough to an outward observer, yet it was enough to cause the third member of the party to stiffen for a moment before grunting a soft assent at the non-verbal command. Without sparing a word, the man peeled away and started back along the path towards the makeshift campsite they had left behind, ignoring the confused looks the guards spared his way. “I suddenly think I shall at that.”
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Post by Pern on Jan 17, 2017 0:43:46 GMT
Blinking, Pern took a breath to ask after the something stupid portion of his reply but decided against it. As the Knight moved to task himself with the remaining crates she turned instead to mind the cart pony. She worked the leather straps to unhitch the cart and lead the pony over to a nearby tying post. The cart she moved next to set beside where the tent would soon be. Pern's "rest" became pitching the tent, and not in the way the errant Knight would have preferred had he an option of choices. She was busy piecing support spokes together when he warned her of the goings on. Whatever it was she clearly wasn't aware. There was a tent to set up and clouds on the horizon, if he hadn't noticed. The orc wasn't meaning to sleep in the mud and rain this evening if she could help it. "Acholt ish a peash-ful Kingdom, Shir Shilverblood," the orc continued working on the tent, "I have traveled here before. Help me with thish..." Kaelen Silverblood Elrid Acfream The Bastard Duke
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 17, 2017 3:23:51 GMT
Of course Pern was not concerned. The orcess was a smith and a scholar, not a soldier or a sellsword. She hadn't experienced war as far as he knew. There was no reason for her to notice the things he noticed....but he would be lying if he didn't say her calm attitude was not rubbing off on him. Maybe he was being paranoid after too many years on being in the vanguard of the Mystmarch army. He should just relax and help the woman get the camp up, because it was obvious she was determined to get it ready for the bad weather that was being hinted at in the clouds. "As you wish Lady Pern." Kaelen said with a slight smile as he relaxed his muscles a bit. He walked over and began to help her with the tent. Perhaps it was just the guards being on alert due to the situation. Even though things were a little too quiet right now for such a crowded area. Maybe it was just his imagination.... The tent was finally up with the both of them working on it. A good sized one big enough to let both him and Pern sleep in there comfortably. They had shared it plenty of times on the trip from Elbion. It was frustrating night after frustrating night on the way up. He had given up on trying to get anything more than an indifferent look and good night from her. Hate he could deal with, but this indifference was too damn frustrating. But he couldn't stop himself from trying. It just made him want to get a reaction out of her that was different even more. One day perhaps the frustration would change into satisfaction. Kaelen winced as he felt his elbow begin to lose its flexibility. He pulled back his sleeve to check it out. A nasty bruise surrounded the joint like a band of black dye. The end was the worst effected spot, because it was where the guard's nose had struck. His knuckles were also stinging rather sharply and the bleeding was starting back up. Seemed he had pushed it a bit with all of the activity of unload instead of seeing to his injuries. "I'm going to head over to the creek that way and see these injuries." Kaelen said to his companion as he pointed in the direction of the nearby creek. "If you need me, just call. I will be over right away." Kaelen picked up a spare cloth he had left out and started to head towards the river. He stopped before he had gone two steps and turned back to Pern. He said as he unstrapped his sword from his back, "Oh and mind keeping an eye on my sword for me?" He held it out to her for her to take. He wanted her to be armed just in case. He waited for her to take it from him or not before he began to head to the creek to handle taking care of his injuries. Elrid Acfream The Bastard Duke Alexandra Feanor
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