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Post by Pern on Jan 17, 2017 4:07:52 GMT
"Thank you."
With the several-day-journey from Elbion to Acholt behind them Pern and Kaelen had established a working order of things. There was a routine of sorts committed to practice, which saw their humble dwelling for their stay quickly erected. Pern dusted off her hands as she turned to the cart and searched around for the bag of oats to ready the pony's evening meal.
"Mmhm," replied the distracted orc to the man as he made to leave for the stream, "ah...oatsh...now, hm...shcoop-"
"Mind keeping an eye on my sword for me?"
She looked up from where she presently rifled through the supplies left on the cart, seeking out the elusive feed scoop, golden eyes falling first on the sword and suddenly seeing his knuckles. Pern reached out to take the proffered scabbard, eyes never leaving the injured hand, "Okay...are you bleeding? Oh...well," she watched him go before looking down to the leather sheath, "mm."
"Looksh like it'sh you and me again, Shparky."
Now where was that scoop...
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Post by Elrid Acfream on Jan 17, 2017 5:00:19 GMT
Alexandra Feanor Pern @the Bastard Duke Kaelen Silverblood---------------------- Elrid nodded, listening with wide-eyes and half-smiling lips as the woman spoke. She'd never heard of Gyn before, but it must have been far to the South. Her eyes opened wider as the woman introduced herself. A lady from a distant kingdom! One who ruled a city, even. A real city, by the sound of it, with all sorts of buildings and people from many distant lands. She'd never seen one before, but it was a dream of hers to see some one day. Then the thought struck her and she gave a slight curtsy. "Nice to meet you then, Lady Alexandra." She shrugged, eyes drifting to the campsite where the man had disappeared from, leaving only the orcess behind. That was hardly strange, but she needed to speak to the man first and before they knew her for who she was. Adair and his men were not far away if there was trouble, but with Gerafel, she was far from concerned. He would protect her- that was the nature of his role. "I am not overly busy," she added after a moment's pause, "I must greet the other visitors to Acholt and ensure they're settled well before the ceremony arrives in the next few days." It was soon enough, perhaps even too soon for her. She still had to write that blasted song, whatever it was to say. A blessing of some sorts for her guests, but more importantly for her land and her people. That was where her priority had to reside. She nodded towards the campsite where the others were, pulling her cloak more tightly around her shoulders. "I must make sure their camp is prepared before the storm hits." A thought caught her attention and she turned to Alexandra. "Your camp is well set-up, I hope?"
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Post by The Bastard Duke on Jan 17, 2017 19:35:48 GMT
The stables, much like the rest of the kingdom they had been treated to thus far, seemed to be a largely informal affair to say the least. Rolan could practically feel the distaste rolling off his armsmen as they flagged down a rather unfortunate looking stablehand that seemed to be comprised almost entirely of limbs and gawky looking set of ears. Nothing puberty, or failing that a swift kick from a horse, could not fix. “ Watch yourself with this one, lad.” The Duke cautioned as the youth took the reins, nimbly dismounting with only a faint grunt as his armoured form hit the toughened earth of the corral. “ Do not let his good looks fool you, he is a brute through and through.” The Destrier, an ill-tempered beast from across the great sands to the south, responded on cue by snapping its teeth dangerously close to Rolan’s fingers. A move more for show than anything. The great beast had learnt its lesson the hard way the first time it had tried taking a bite out of the knight, coming away with nothing but a mouthful of tempered steel for his trouble. The duke simply grinned at his horses’ antics. Warhorses weren’t raised for their sweet disposition after all and Wargrave was nothing if not a magnificent example of his breed. Aurumani knew the creature had certainly cost enough. “ Do not fret. So long as you do not get between him and an apple, I am sure you will get along like a house on fire.” Complete with the screaming, running and general wanton destruction no doubt. " Somin, see the lad to coin and secure us a campsite for the evening. I have business elsewhere to attend this eve.” The noble adjusted his surcoat and swordbelt as he spoke, either oblivious to the disdainful look his second spared in his direction or choosing to outright ignore it for the sake of avoiding yet another foreign incident on Acholt soil. He had been on the receiving end of such looks all his life, it would be tiresome to have to start bearing steel over something so inconsequential now. Besides, the Duke had more pressing matters to attend to at that moment. Kastel IV might have thought sending a bastard, legitimised or not, to a coronation a cruel and no doubt highly amusing joke, but that did not change the fact Rolan was here to represent his troubled kingdom. An arduous task that required him to get the lay of the land, and the foreign powers at play, to do effectively. The fact it also got him out of ham-handedly assembling a tent was just a coincidental bonus. The thought of poor Ser Somin struggling was alone enough to prompt the rare appearance of a genuine smile as he crossed the field, heading towards the nearest campsite. A simple looking wagon and pony affair, the owner of which seemed to have their back to him as he made his approach. “ Ho the camp!” He announced loudly so as to avoid any misunderstanding, the locals already twitchy enough in this kingdom as is. “ I am looking for directions to the Elbion Delegation. I hear they caused something of a ruckus at the gate.”
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 17, 2017 21:59:31 GMT
The creek was not too far away from the campsite. He was able to keep it in sight without much trouble, but it was far enough away he wouldn't be able to hear what was said there. His elbow was throbbing with each beat of his heart while his knuckles stung and bled. He knew better than to smack a man in the face with his bare knuckles or elbow someone without his armor on. It was a stupid move on his part, but he didn't regret it. He had done worse to himself over less. He couldn't let blatant mockery of Pern happen like that. He didn't know the orcess that well yet, but he already knew she deserved better than that. So he bloodied their faces since idiots didn't learn well from words...and his elbow and knuckles would agree with him about that right now. Bloody hands were dipped into the cold water. He winced at first as the rush of water against open wounds stung more than the open air had. Silvery red flowed down stream as numbness slowly beat back the pain. He let out a relieved sigh once the cold waters had done their job of reducing his pain and swelling. The next step was to rub off the old blood off of his skin. Once the blood was removed from his skin, he pulled his hands out of the water. Clear liquid dripped down as red slowly rolled down along side it. He just stared as his hands as he waited for the blood to clot. His mind was racing as he tried to figure out what was happening in the camp. He had a feeling that something was about to happen, and if it did then he would need to get his companion to safety. Would she let him though or would she get stubborn about it? Kaelen had to shake the thoughts out of his head after his hands were dry and the bleeding completely stopped. He took the cloth and soaked it in the creek along with his bruised elbow. The cold waters were soothing as it worked its magic. It was odd how the cold could be used to help heal when it was normally so dangerous. If not for a highly respected Runic Mage being the one to make the case for it along with several historical examples to back it up, Kaelen would not have believed it. He was not certain if it was known outside of Mystmarch, but it had become more common since the mainland campaign began. Elrid Acfream The Bastard Duke Alexandra Feanor
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Post by Pern on Jan 17, 2017 22:52:05 GMT
It was either through strange luck on the Bastard's end or poor luck on Pern's end that Duke found himself hailing the very delegation he sought. The cart pony bobbed its head in surprise at the man's outburst but was otherwise involved in the sound of oats pouring from a metal scoop. Pern carefully measured out his evening's meal - 2lbs of oats and a pound of sunflower seeds with a dressing of mineral oil. It had been a long day for the little fellow with few stops for rest or water. Water, of course, was next on her list. For now, the grain. “I am looking for directions to the Elbion Delegation. I hear they caused something of a ruckus at the gate.”The orc looked up, turning with the feed bag in her arms while she mixed the pony's meal together by hand, "Aye? That would be me, but I am unaware of caushing any ruckush, M'Lord." She eyed the man curiously, attempting to place the coat of arms shining upon his armor with no immediate success. The pony pawed behind her for his dinner. The Bastard Duke
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Post by The Bastard Duke on Jan 17, 2017 23:14:18 GMT
Pern The smile didn’t waiver as the woman turned, yet there was a slight narrowing of those golden eyes as they took in her appearance. An Orc? It seemed the Elbion party came with no end of surprises in tow. Perhaps it really was a good thing that he had left Somin to attend to assembling the tent after all. There was little love for Orcs and their kin in Aureus. Of course, it could also be said that there was little love for anything in Aureus, a fact the Duke was all too acutely aware. “ I feel there are two very trounced looking guards that would beg to differ on that account, dear lady.” The noble tilted his head to the side as he paused at the edge of her campsite, gesturing with his right hand for her permission to approach further. A sheltered wagon and tent were a far cry from a demesne, but there were civilities that needed to be observed. The fact that Elbion seemed to have flat out ignored them, at the very gate no less, was neither here nor there. “ It seems you and your entourage have made quite the impression on the local inhabitants. I had heard that diplomacy requires a certain degree of aggression at times, but I had never thought of applying such a notion quite so liberally.”
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Post by Pern on Jan 18, 2017 0:56:12 GMT
Pern gave no indication of permission to the man to approach any closer. As a matter of fact the Orc looked positively put-upon.
The pony stamped his hoof. Dinner.
"You have me at a dishadvantage, M'Lord," Pern replied carefully, her own golden eyes narrowing in a mixture of confused suspicion, "my interrac-shunsh with the Guardsh were shivil and short. There wash no aggresshun to be had, liberally or not. Furthermore, I have no entourage. My only traveling companionsh are thish hungry pony," she hiked a thumb over her shoulder to the pony who snorted in response, "and an Emisshary of Myshtmarsh-"
and that's right about the time when things began to click in her head.
The pony stamped his hoof. Dinner.
The orc narrowed her eyes further.
Kaelen.
Brows furrowed she turned rather abruptly to fasten the feed bag over the pony's nose, clipping it to his halter.
"Elbion hash been and ish nothing but shupportive of the Acholt Kingdom and itsh new Queen."
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Post by The Bastard Duke on Jan 18, 2017 18:02:50 GMT
Pern The Duke’s lips pursed slightly at the apparent lack of a forthcoming invitation to enter the camp, but didn’t press the issue. Roles reversed, if an armoured lout had seen fit to darken his campfire out of the blue with allegations about his supposed conduct, misplaced or otherwise, he doubted he would have been the spirit of hospitality either. Like a reverse mirror image, his eyes widened in sudden comprehension as the woman spoke. Emissary of Mystmarch? Now the pieces of the puzzle made a certain sense. The lady before him hardly seemed the type to engage in a fist fight, yet the marchers on the other hand were as tempestuous as the thrice forsaken isles they dwelt upon. It rarely required much to spur them into a confrontation. “ Be at peace, dear lady.” He interjected, raising a placating hand. “ While I am quite certain of your innocence and that of your ravenous companion, I am not here as your accuser. Nor do I seek to be a representative of Acholt in this matter.” He offered a curt nod, “ It is as you have said, I hold you at a disadvantage. Allow me to balance the scales. I am Rolan Lebard, the Duke of Ferrum. Aureus may be no friend of Elbion, aye, but it is no enemy either. I have no desire for the latter to change this eve.”
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Post by Pern on Jan 19, 2017 0:23:23 GMT
The orc turned back to him unsmiling, the feeling of apprehension seeping into her expression. "Well met, Lord Duke," golden eyes fell upon his Kingdom sigil once more. Ferrum, Aureus - Pern knew just as much of those lands as she did of Mystmarch: not much at all. She was vaguely aware of the Merchant Guild holding talks with them several years ago in negotiation of ... something, but she'd not been apart of the talks. A Blacksmith's Apprentice's place was in the smithy, not Guild Halls. "I am called Pern, Apprentish to the Mashter Shmith Gibbshen of Elbion," Not Lady Pern, but this remained unspoken, "and represhentative of the Mershant Guild for theshe feshtivitiesh." Clawed hand at her chest she gave the Duke a half-bow, "I will look into thish...diplomatic shtumble posht-hashte." The Bastard Duke
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Post by Alexandra Feanor on Jan 19, 2017 8:11:04 GMT
Alexandra's attention was on the woman as she spoke about wanting to make sure everyone was ok. The little bit of information was rather interesting, the woman in front of her was more interested in making sure those who had come to Acholt were in good shape. It made her curious about who the woman was but that was a question she could ask another time while her hand moved to the ground and started to trace a glyph in its surface. She made no large movements and was doing this as she needed a drink, something she could bring to her with the specific spell she was carving in front of her. It was then that Alexandra's focus was brought back to the moment as Elrid posed the question concerning her group. She smiled at that and nodded before answering. "We settled in quite easily, your people have been more than welcoming. It is far different from my home so I am happy at how welcoming it is here."Her eyes turned back down to the glyph she had traced before pushing the dirt over it, starting to stand over and removing a cloth to wipe her hand. She used the chance to glance behind her when she put the cloth back and saw the situation had changed in that direction. She wondered what that was all about but it was not her worry. "I do hope that I am not proving to be a distraction. If you need to check on the others, I am more than welcome to leave you to it." She waited for the answer before doing anything else, her hand placing the cloth back into her cloak. (sorry for the wait Elrid Acfream)
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Post by Taryc Alcor on Jan 19, 2017 16:50:02 GMT
Taryc pulled back on the reins lightly, her palfrey responding quickly and coming down smoothly to a walk. As a mercenary, she was used to traveling light, and she carried with her very little. In point of fact, the only thing she really had with her that was appropriate for the occasion she was coming to witness was her armor. She had spent the last few nights making sure her armor was well polished. Normally, coronations were not something that Taryc would have concerned herself with unless she was hired to guard at one. Now, however, with the guidance of Roxayne, Goddess of Nobility, Justice, and Rulership, she was trying to become more interested and therefore, actually attend. She pulled on the reins lightly once more, then guided her mare with her knees over to a guard at the gate. "You 'ere for the cor-ah-nation?" The guard asked. "Aye." Taryc replied with a smile, though she felt the guard eyeing her in a way she wasn't fond of. "Are you 'ere with a del-ah-gaetion?" The guard was trying to enunciate through what sounded like a broken nose. "I represent no one officially..." She replied. "Unoffici-ah-lee?" "May I enter and make camp, all I have with me you see. Armor, sword, camping gear." The guard eyed her rudely some more, then waved her on as she didn't seem to want to play his games. She brought her horse in through the gates by knee guidance and looked around for any familiar faces. That her attendance here was a whim would be evident, as she looked around for where to make camp. Pern Kaelen Silverblood Elrid Acfream Alexandra Feanor The Bastard Duke
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Post by Elrid Acfream on Jan 19, 2017 22:49:30 GMT
Alexandra Feanor Kaelen Silverblood Pern Elrid nodded happily, scratching behind Gerafel's ears, as Alexandra spoke. Good, the rest of her people were abiding by the laws of hospitality, even though the guests were foreigners. Some quibbled about whether hospitality applied to the Acholt alone or also with others. Elrid had made her position clear- hospitality was for all who would come in peace and did not place the Acholt in danger. "I am glad you find us so welcoming," Elrid replied, slipping her fingers into Gerafel's collar. The hound nuzzled her hand, looking for food. "Hospitality is something we value most highly." She sent another look towards the campsite- someone else had arrived, clad in plate and looking very fancy. That was someone she did not quite wish to meet yet. No, it was the other man she wanted to meet, the one who had slipped away to the creek. She could just barely make out his form between the lamp-lit trees. Elrid turned back to Alexandra, eyes widening in confusion as the other woman drew something in the ground. She couldn't make it out, but it seemed interesting. Perhaps even magical. That would be exciting to learn about, but she knew little of such matters. "Indeed, I apologize for needing to depart, but I must check on the others." Her eyes darted back to the campsite where the Orc-woman and armored figure seemed to be discussing something. Elrid couldn't be entirely sure, but it did seem to be rather tense between the two, although she couldn't guess why. She gave a friendly nod of farewell to the morning and slipped away into the wood, boots silent on the grassy ground below. Working her way around the campsite, she caught sight of the man and paused in the shadow of the oaks. He fit the description well enough. Thunder rumbled, rolling through the boughs above and rustling the branches around them. The air was heavy and thick. Elrid bounced on her feet for a moment, considering, and then walked out towards the stream. "Well-met, traveler!" Elrid called out to the man. "I hope you have found our home hospitable and welcoming. Is there anything you need that I might assist with?" She tilted her head, catching sight of the cloth and dark splotch on his elbow. "Have you been injured? I have some touch of the healing arts that may be of assistance."
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 30, 2017 3:21:27 GMT
The swelling of Kaelen's elbow was going down slowly but surely. The pain of it had been numbed away by the cooling embrace of the waters and the spare cloth was sure to be as chilled as the river stones. He was glad for this escape from it. The injuries would heal faster than they would for most humans because of his blood, but it did not mean it hurt any less. The aching, the stinging, the throbbing. It all was there to remind Kaelen he was mortal and tell him how stupid he had been before. Punching someone who deserved it might have made him feel better, but he was still punching someone in the face. Kaelen was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't notice when Elrid Acfream approached him. He looked back at her when she began to speak to him, his arm still in the creek. She was being friendlier and more helpful than the others from the country he had met were. She also mentioned having some healing ability, which was not something he expected. It was a pleasant surprise from the events at the road. He just smiled to her as he finally removed his arm from the water. He wrapped the cloth around his elbow and tied it as he stood up. He turned to face her as he moved his arm to judge how mobile it was with the swelling. It was better than it was before. Good. "Thank you for your offers, but I am fine. I just hurt myself in a stupid way is all. Better those worse off than me get treatment instead." Kaelen replied as he studied his visitor over quickly. "You are the first one from your country though that has been friendly and helpful. The guards on the road here insulted and mocked my travel company openly. She has a lisp that she can't help and they had more than their fair share of fun over it." The woman was young. He would say she had come of age not long ago in fact, depending on when her people considered a coming of age was appropriate. From what he had learned from Pern along the way, this event was a coronation for the princess of the kingdom and should be about the same age as this young woman. Could she be the one being crowned today and the one that Pern had crafted a sword for? She couldn't be though. Not even a kingdom with such irresponsible, idiotic guards as this one would let their princess run around before her coronation. There was no telling who might be here. For all they knew, anyone could be an assassin here for her life. "I nearly forgot. My name is Kaelen. What might your name be miss?" Kaelen asked with a smile. He nearly forgot his manners after everything. "Also, would you like an escort back to your campsite? There is no telling what sort of thieves and deviants have gathered in the crowd. A pretty, young woman such as yourself needs to be careful after all." The Bastard Duke
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Post by Elrid Acfream on Jan 30, 2017 4:27:59 GMT
Kaelen Silverblood Pern The Bastard DukeElrid scratched the fur behind Gerafel's ears and he whined furiously, nudging her side. She shifted with his weight and scratched harder, listening to him. So he was the one who had beaten her cousin. He had deserved it- always with a mouth faster than his brain and the kindness of a lump of wood. Not ideal for a diplomat, but that's because he wasn't. There was no standing army here, no professionals. Certainly not here at her home, anyways. Just her and her kin, with the extended relations from the closest homesteads. "Oh!" She said, making a look of her surprise on her face. "So you're the one who assaulted my cousin." She frowned and knelt beside the woulfhound. "He deserved it, aye. Always been loose with his words. Good man, but never knows when to stop." She frowned deeper and wrinkled her nose. "He once filled my hair with tree-sap. Had to cut it all off so it could regrow." "Well met, Kaelen," she added after a moment, wading across the stream and towards the camp. She tossed a look behind her shoulder. "My name's Eoforhildwyn." She laughed at the question. "And you think I'm pretty? I am flattered, but fear not. Acholt has no such folk. And we have no wealth to steal, unless they want oak." She spread her hands to gesture to the woods around them. "And there's more than enough share if the Acholt is respected." She paused at the edge of the campsite, catching a glimpse of the others already in the camp. "And fear not-" She tapped the flank of the dog. "This is Gerafel. His bite can crush the bone in a troll's arm. Saw it myself. If any of you foreigners bring trouble here," She gave him a sharp look. "Gerafel will take care of them." Elrid took a few more steps towards the camp, pausing on the edge, and turning back. "If you took such offense at my kinsman's words, why did you not take it up with the queen? He was representing her and under her direct authority. Would it not be her place to discipline her kinsman? Why did you think it was your place?" She finished walking into the camp and waved to the ones already there. "Well met, friends! Welcome to Acholt!"
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 30, 2017 21:01:11 GMT
Those fools were this young woman's cousins? Kaelen felt bad for her in that case. The two were not so bright before he had roughed up their faces, and it was hard to say if he had knocked some sense into them or not. The fact there was already an issue out of it meant they likely hadn't learned their lesson the first time around. He would go reteach them their manners, but he had already caused enough of a ruckus as it was if the news of it was already spreading. Her questions did catch his attention though, as well as her comment about her hound. He raised a brow slightly at her as he began to make a few connections. "Can crush a troll's arm? Good companion." Kaelen said with a smile. "And you are right. I don't think you are pretty. I think you are a beautiful young woman." Kaelen smirked as he gave the young woman a little wink. She was too young for his taste, even if most would assume he would go after anything female that breathed. If she was a few years older then he might have been more serious about flirting with her, but it was not the case so he was not. It did not change that she was an attractive young woman though and would be sure to turn some young men's heads later. Especially when it was her time to shine and be the center of attention. "As far as to why I disciplined your kin my self, I can give you many reasons. I can tell you that it is to teach them and the to-be-Queen that wars are started often over slights made by those representing the crown. I can tell you it is because I command troops and a lack of discipline is something I can not stand, even amongst those I do not command. I can tell you that it reflects a weakness in the Queen's authority over her people and so I did it because no one could stop me." Kaelen said to her in a matter-of-fact way as he glanced over at her. He was not trying to insult these people, but it was clear they were not as familiar with the game as they needed to be for their people. He might be heavy handed about it right now, but some times the best way to make a point was to hammer it in. "I could go on further about a multitude of reasons that reflect back upon the authority of this land, but the real reason is simple. They insulted my companion and myself intentionally so I did something about it." Kaelen said after he took a short pause to let his previous statements sink in. "Does that satisfy your curiosity your Highness?" Elrid Acfream Pern The Bastard Duke
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