Dubhaine Family/Ciarghuala/Roleplays/1018/May
1st May
Winter Day -- Poryatu
Isabella Pavus
Upon her steed, an unconscious Isabella trotted into the city of Giask. As she came through the gates, there was a cheer, waking her up. However, the masses were confused by her lacking unit. Nonetheless, the rough looking warrior rode through to the barracks. She equipped herself with a new unit, 25 mixed infantry soldiers. They had no captain, he had died. She would make do. Fortunately, the lot were capable enough. And she was sure that they would not desert. And if they did, she would surely have their heads. After a quick moment to bathe, she rubs her eyes and rides off, the unit in tow.
Sevastian Schwarzherzig
Sevastian noticed a fresh new unit marching from the recruitment depot, headed in the same direction his captain had his men marching at present. Sevastian rode slowly behind, observing for a moment. Mixed infantry, he mused. He spied their commander and grinned, spurring his horse on, and reigned in beside Isabella. He gave a practiced bow from the saddle, guiding his horse with his knees.
"Lady Isabella I presume?"
Isabella Pavus
Isabella perks up her head, looking to Sevastian. "Given your manner and your admiration, my list is not narrowed down much," she grins, "But I should think Sir Sevastian. The journey from Moon Bay was much longer, much more arduous than the maps led me to believe. I think next winter, I will take up courtiership and stay indoors. Or, at least, not travel around all too much. I was not even attacked and my unit massacred. They deserted, even the captain. I have heard talk of them discussing my lack of funds in the taverns. I had hoped to trample on their corpses. Luria will need all she can get, and my justice will wait. Nonetheless, I have talked quite enough. How are you?" she smiles.
Sevastian Schwarzherzig
"Quite well, working on a composition for the University. It is my ardent desire to see the institution restored to its former glory." Sevastian remarked casually, adjusting his feathered cap.
"Nasty business, desertion. Fickle soldiers! The very privilege of Imperial service should be pay enough, but the ingrates couldn't even appreciate having such a beautiful commander?" Sevastian said, taking her hand and kissing it. "The common folk are always crying about bread. But what of adventure! Of honor, and glory! Surely there is more to life than a full belly." Sevastian said, shaking his head.
"If the men of the Ultima Ratio Regum catch wind of your deserters, rest assured, they will dance their final dance. Nothing quite as stirring as the gallows jig."
Emyhr le Craint
It had been a while since Emyhr had returned to the north and especially near Askileon, he found himself filled with excitement and a warming to be near home. The Vanguard camped in a clearing in a forest between Cairn Tut and Askileon Purlieus, sat around a make shift table made from gathered wood from the local area. The crisp chill of the winter air was felt among the camp, with the majority of the Vanguard huddled around the fire keeping the fire as warm as possible.
Emyhr along with Captain Gustaf were pondering a map of the north, preparing for the journey for the next couple of days. Crude marks along this map representing known Lurian combatants, they prepared their placement for the foreseeable future.
"Sir Emyhr, I fear that it may be a while before we see the sights of Poryatu again and I know the men grow restless, would you allow the men to relax and find entertainment within Askileon? I worry about the moral among some of the men."
Honest concern for the men was showing on his face as he said this, but also a need for relaxation himself. There was an element of anxiety after the combat they have faced in recent times.
"Captain Gustaf, I too feel the strain of this and miss the comforts of the estate back in Poryatu. However, we have orders to protect the realm and the positioning in Cairn Tut provides us with ample coverage of the rouge states. I do agree with you though, while I have needs to attend to when we arrive in Askileon, I trust that you will show the men a good time and allow them to recuperate."
Emyhr now looked upon the face of the man and could see the tired expressions he was making. Emyhr walked over to the tent set up for supplies and came out with two mugs of ale and headed back to the table.
"This journey may be a long one, but I promise you that once we reach Askileon, you shall get your well deserved rest. I cannot afford to let my captain get too tired, I need your experience."
Handing the mug to the captain, they both took a deep swig of ale and slammed the cups down on the table. With this, Emyhr turned to his men who was now looking over at the commotion on the table.
"Men of the Vanguard, I know you are tired and restless. However, it shall not be long before we make it to Askileon. Once we arrive, I will provide Captain Gustaf here with ample funding to enable you all to rest and recuperate. I look forward to seeing the men that can keep up with the captain here"
With a slap on the back of the captain, the men looked upon the two of them. Their previously tired and shivering faces now filled with excitement, many of them began recalling memories they have of times within Askileon. The captain now had a mix of an embarrassed and cheery look upon him as he returned to the table.
"Now Sir Emyhr, I believe we should discuss the matter of the state of the equipment." The Captain said with a cheeky grin on his face as his pointed towards the pile of damaged swords and armor that could be seen from within a tent.
Isabella Pavus
"The university is quite brilliant. I myself submitted a piece, honouring both the realm and my late brother. As well as a stanza implying that Chance Harte as no heart, and Dodger has no... pene. I find myself privileged to serve. I gave my loyalty and my choice in marriage to the Emperor, to better the Lurian Hegemony. It is where my life and loyalty is, no matter the reward. My family has always been ambitious like this. Touches every single Pavus. It is why my cousin is a judge with higher aspirations, why I served as General in weeks past, and why my brother had bold aspirations, to say the least. There is little I would not give in service of the realm. Yet these soldiers and more mercenary than anything. A mistake that will not be made again. I must say, I think highly of the adventuring commoners. Useful assets to any realm."
Winter Evening -- Poryatu
Myr Arnickles Renodin
"Fly, you fools!" - shouted marshal Stoneandrags. His voice thundering at his rocky minions.
"No! Stay put!" - he yelled, turning left and right within split second, drawing snickers and giggles from the children gathered around.
"March out! Left!" - he ordered and turned right instead. Kids released a volly of laughter, one of them shouting - "Monsters, marshal Stoneandrags, there be monsters!"
"What? Where?!" - he cried out in terror, hiding behind one of his rocky soldiers. He postured up, coughing theatrically - "Ah! Worry not, I have superior tactic!"
He puffed himself up with pride and elucidated his grand plan: "We will all turn around and advance with our backs turned on the enemy! The enemy will think we're reatreating and not attacking! Ha!" - the marshal turned around, his raggy arms flailing from the impetus of the motion and children were laughing uncontrollably.
Myr kneeled down, his arm reaching out to the children, the ragdoll in his hand. Returning the toy to the gathered kids he flicked one silver coin in the air. It spinned mid-air, showing the face of Emperor Aldrakar or Giask for a split-second with each turn, the tallest of the children jumped up, catching the offering.
"Thank you sir knight!" - kids shouted after him.
William Fitz Roberts
William was bent over his desk in the he had hired to ferry him from Giask to Askileon. He had spent the entire journey locked in his cabin, poring over maps, charts and old traveller’s reports. He had several different histories of Dwilight books scattered around the room, the majority of which he had so far simply skimmed. At last, he pulled out his dagger and jammed it hard into the wood of the desk, its point over a city to the western half of the map.
‘Here’, he muttered to himself, ‘It shall be here’.
He turned as he heard the door slowly open, ready to bark angrily at whomever had dared disturb him. He softened immediately when he saw it was, for Anne was standing in the threshold in her travelling cloak, whose collar was turned upwards to protect her from the cold sea winds.
‘Husband, you have been here all day. I have hardly seen you since we rode from Fox Hall. Have you grown tired of me?’, Anne spoke in a mocking tone, putting on an obviously false pout. William reached out his arm to her, beckoning her into his embrace.
‘I have been deep in my own thoughts, come and see’
Her curiosity clearly peaked, Anne came quickly into William’s arms where they shared a long kiss, before she broke it off and stared down at the map William had pierced with his dagger
‘So this is what has kept you from my side, hmm?’ Anne said in a low voice, her interest clearly growing, ‘tell me, what is at this Goldenfarrow?’
‘Quite simply, my dear, our future. The city of Goldenfarrow was once one of the richest, if not the richest cities in all of Dwilight. However, when the monsters came and humanity were forced to abandon the West, it appears much of the wealth was abandoned. Think about it, a city filled with gold, unclaimed by any realm on Dwilight, ripe for the taking if we can defeat the monsters that plague those lands. To think, if it can be settled once more it will be a wealthy kingdom to add to the glorious Hegemony of Luria. If it cannot, think of the wealth that might be stripped from its buildings. I intend to find volunteers to go with me there one day. Maybe not this month, maybe not this year, but one day Golden Farrow will be stripped of its wealth and our family shall be as kings!!!’
Anne looked at the map for a long time. At last she spoke,
‘this would takes months of planning and is fraught with risk, but we might just pull this off’ She looked up at her husband, excitement and greed flashing in her emerald eyes
William sat back down in his chair, ‘Aye, but now we must focus on the task at hand. The Realm must always come before the will of the individual
Anne looked disappointed, but at last nodded her agreement. ‘You are right of course. Are you looking forward to seeing our homeland again? You have not been back for so long I will be surprised if your mother can even recognise you’
William laughed at that, ‘in all honesty, I am more worried about your father being able to recognise me’
It was Anne’s turn to laugh, ‘It has been eight years, do you really think he still hates you for eloping with me?’
‘You know I do, and what is more you know I am right. The man terrifies me’
‘How can you be scared of him, you have a solid two feet on him?’
‘It is simple: everyone tells me that you take after him’
Anne’s laughter echoed across the smooth twilit waters of the Euschean Sea
2nd May
Winter Evening -- Poryatu
Zhou Tai Bluelake
Drake sneaked around the streets of Askileon. He knew his uncle had told him to behave better while in the city, and he had, especially at the horse market where they looked at the new mares from that southern shipment. He had been courteous and polite, his dark blue eyes shining with interest, and he hadn't even laughed at the crass jokes of the horse dealers. Zhou Tai must have been proud of him. But now, he was on an undercover mission... His uncle was finishing his business before they headed back home, and Drake had taken the chance. A few coppers got him a peasant child's clothing to toss on top of his regular garb, and he looked messy enough not to seem of noble blood.
He navigated the huge market with a bit of trouble, but finally, the 8 year old reached the cart he was looking for. The milk merchant! As he walked up to the man, muttering to himself the words to make sure he got every one of them right, he wondered how many sheets of parchment with Sir Leif's latest works would that grant him. He was looking forward to share them with his cousins at home. Stopping before the bulky milkman, he got a suspicious stare. Before he lost heart, Drake said, rather loudly "Dai mne moloko gaspodin!" and blinked intensely thrice.
Leif Wilkins
The waves were crashing along the hull of the ship. Leif shuddered in his fur-lined coat - that of an arctic bear, rubbing his hands together as the penetrating wind pierced his bones. A resilient man, Leif highly disliked boats and open water. He could rarely see what was beyond the rail of the boat, and had a fear of falling into the water after an incident as a young lad in which he almost drowned.
He couldn't sleep as he has woken up to return the food he had back to surface due to the inconsistent and wobbly motions of the ship. "Arse pebbles..." he thought "I can handle most of life's abuse... Even meeting sunrise in bed with what looks like a troll but seemed like a favourable lady upon moonlight after a few tankards of ale... But this.. This darn struggle with sea travel is pathetic."
As the thought passed, Leif could see the spires of Askelion on the horizon. Finally
3rd May
Winter Evening -- Poryatu
Myr Arnickles Renodin
Myr did some calculations in his head:
170 gold coins per week. Three weeks per season makes 510 gold coins per season. Four seasons per year makes 2040 gold coins per year. It would take me... 25 years to gather 50 000 gold coins!
He took a quill and waved off the scribe.
"I'll write this one myself."
4th May
Winter Day — Poryatu
William Fitz Roberts
William seeks compensation
As they strode into the village, William could hear the cries of fear and panic.
‘My, my, what a delightful place’, William said loudly, exaggerating his joy. ‘Look at it, it’s almost idyllic, who wouldn’t want to live in a place like this. A simple life, away from the troubles of the wider world? It makes one almost wonder whether we should just return to Grodno and tend to our fields’. He breathed in deeply, ‘Just smell that, that is the smell of hard work and toil, that is the smell of an honest living’
‘It certainly is pleasant, husband’, Anne walked alongside her husband, joining in with William’s fun
‘Now, now let me see’, William pointed his poleaxe at one of the frightened villagers, ‘who is in charge here? Who speaks for you?
A trembling man stepped forward. He was in his mid-thirties and slightly better dressed than the rest. But only slightly. He still stank of dung. He bowed deeply’
‘M’lord, I am the reeve of this place, what can we do for you? What is your business here?’
‘Our business?’ William exclaimed, a dreadful gleam in his eye, ‘our business is simple. I don’t know if you heard fighting a few hours ago, but my soldiers and eye just saved your village from being razed by trolls.’
‘For which, you have our deepest gratitude’, he gestured behind him to a house, ‘please, m’lord, if you would care to break bread with us as a means of saying thank you? My wife is just finishing making our dinner’
‘Break bread?’, William and his soldiers laughed allowed at that, ‘No, no, no. We require something more substantial. You see, fighting a battle is very arduous. Puts a strain on body and soul, can cause a man to do strange things if he is not treated right. It also causes damage to equipment, which is expensive stuff. Hans, show them your sword’. One of the men of William’s retinue stepped forward, holding his blade aloft. William tutted, ‘You see, completely chipped. Now, what can you offer us by means of compensation?’
The reeve looked up in horror, ‘please m’lord, we are a simple people, we have nothing’ he protested loudly, taking a few steps back, his arms out in front of him as if to shield himself
At this, William’s smile curled into a sneer. ‘Don’t. Lie. To. Me’, he said in a low, dangerous voice, ‘a place as big as this always has a strongbox somewhere to pay the local strongman for his protection. Where is it?’
‘M’lord, please, if we don’t pay Mc Gregor he will kill us’
‘I am sorry, are you operating under the illusion that I won’t?’, William stepped forward, causing the man to recoil in fear, but William persisted and put his massive arm around the man’s shoulders. One slight movement, and William would have been able to snap the man’s spine. He guided the man to one side and said in a mock whisper, as if he were confiding in the man, ‘You see that woman there?’, indicating Anne, ‘She can come up with far nastier tortures and means to kill you with than some common bandit named Mc Gregor. Now, where is the strongbox?’
Shaking beyond control at this point, the man pointed to a building at the end of the village. William patted the man’s cheek and smiled. ‘Much obliged to you, sir, much obliged’
As they approached, a youth no more than sixteen stepped forward, blocking William’s path to the building. He was holding an old and rusty sword. William looked down, and spoke with a menace that would have given a troll second thoughts. ‘Get out of the way boy, don’t try to be the hero, it’s never worth it. It ain’t like the songs. People won’t remember who you are, you won’t even be a footnote in history. ‘
‘I don’t care, I can’t just stand aside and watch you take away our livelihood’, the youth said, his chest swelling with prideful defiance
‘Well isn’t that a shame?’, William muttered, grabbing the boy and smashing his head into the door frame. As the boy fell to the floor, William used the spike at the end of his pole axe to finish the job.
‘Now would you look at that?’ William shouted in fury, ‘the little wretch has got blood all over my boots! These were expensive. I shall likely have to throw them away’. A scream of anguish went up from the crowd, devolving into sobs and moans of utter shock and horror. William presumed the source of the noise must have been the boy’s mother. William turned, and spied Manfred. The boy’s face was a mask of indifference.
‘Boy,’ William called over, ‘have you ever killed someone?’
‘Not yet, cousin’
‘Well, it’s high time you did. Silence that caterwauling would you, I like my mornings to be peaceful and quiet’. William turned his back on the crowd as Manfred went over. He smiled as he heard a soft scream and then silence. Good. The boy was at least efficient
‘now then,’ William said cheerily, turning back to the terrified crowd, ‘I was going to just take the money and go, leaving you to get on with your miserable little lives out here. However, that was before this “everyday hero” got blood on my boots. Now, that is something that I cannot countenance. Of course, you are so ignorant that you don’t even know what countenance means. Ah well, no point teaching you, you won’t live long enough to use it. Burn it all, leave none alive save that one’ William pointed to a boy no more than 8 or 9. ‘Can you ride boy? Good. Off you pop then, go and tell the other villages what happens when they get blood on my boots’
A little while later, as they were washing the blood off of themselves in a drinking trough, Godlinda said, ‘Just to inform you, sir, but the peasants got wind of our coming and organised themselves into some form of militia to kick us out’
William paused at that, before smiling cheerily. ‘Good. Time for some target practice’
Tyra Andrasta Bluelake
Tyra looked out of her new quarters into the desertic view of the Palm Seas. She was pleased. Monsters and undead could be seen from quite a distance in that scenery. She had slept deeply for the first time in ages.
"It suits you, milady" Her piercing, pale blue eyes shot a warning across the room to Duncan. "We are at court now, milady... This servant will not address you with your given name."
The dame smirked but let it rest. "Well, what do you have for me? Anything that's not merely court gossip in that bunch of letters?"
"A poetry competition..." he was interrupted by her laughter.
"You have to be kidding me... Can one get more courtly than that?!"
It was his turn to give her a hard look. "You promised you'd try, milady"
Tyra had the decency to look guilty. "A poetry competition. What else?"
"Here's the sheet for you to vote on your favorite. Well, sheets. I don't know which one is right. Just use them all. Diplomatic news and a declaration of war..." she reached out and took those "A visit from a foreign queen with news of a swordfight competition in Giask" he saw her eyes growing wider "you have to apply and travel there. I also have a report of your estate's condition and relevant guilds... What are you doing?"
The dame had immediately sat down and started sharpening her sword. The scribe let out an exasperated sigh. "What about your duties? You have to greet your liege, write to your relative, visit guildhouses and apply for membership..." "You do all that for me and I'll get my equipment and men ready to move to Giask." "But..." "I'll tell you the rough content of the letters and you embellish for me, is that good enough?"
The older man looked at her seriously. "One of them is from the Emperor himself. Sit with me for half an hour and we can work through this." He softened his tone "But we can do it outside if milady prefers." To which he got one of her dazzling smiles and immediate assent. Duncan knew how to maneuver his charge. He also knew she'd be working on that sword the whole time.
