|
|
|
|
The 'giant' watches Rolf and Mandrake return to the party. As he does so he lowers his clubmace and says something unintelligble to some one behind the gate. Next minute, his head disappears and then appears again with a doghead head next to it. The doghead says something in its own language and then drops from view, although the 'giant' remains watching. |
|
|
Edgar flies from Yuri's shoulder to Mandrake's, much to the relief of the former who can now feel the circulation in his arm once more ... Ignoring Kerim's stare, he speaks up, addressing his remarks primarily towards Richard, but also to the rest in the hope that someone will give him an answer. "Whose lands are these ?" he squawks, though not loud enough that those behind the walls can hear him, for he has already heard their opinion, "Do they belong to this large fellow, or to your Earl Richard ?" There is no recrimination in his tone, merely a puzzled curiosity, from a creature that is having difficulty with the concept of the land belonging to anyone, let alone two contrary claimants. |
|
|
Kerim looks at the Raven strangely and shakes his head "Not what I was hoping you might offer" he looks skyward again though prompts no further. He looks as if about to add some more before he turns to Peter "Thus far our travels have met with open arms, though not always upon our leaving." Then to Rolf hesitantly and managing an awkward bow "I am bemused by the law of your land Warden, I thought I understood they offer warm welcome to your honorary personage?" Kerim offers a puzzled look and all but straightens in case he need to offer deference again. |
|
|
Elsbeth too is surprised at Herloch's manner, though not as surprised as Madelyn. She shakes her heads at his questions. "We should be having passage here," she states. "To go around is quite silly, when we be meanin' no harm." As Rolf approaches, she watches the wall and the giant carefully. She visibly hesitates before speaking to Rolf, not wanting to contradict his authority, but still needing to say her piece. "Rolf, I don't be meaning to disagree," she states softly, "but you are the dutiful Warder. We're not planning to stay nor to hunt or gather. We simply seek passage. If your Lord is to have say, or even mine, we canna' let individuals dictate where we be allowed or not." She bites her lip. "If he has a road for toll, then we can pay. But he canna' forbid you. To do so is to be denying the law of the Clan." Elsbeth points back. "An' yon beastie has one of those dogheads with him. Could this be where the attack on Yuri's folk came from? I'll follow your orders, as I'm required. But I really think it'd be weakness to give in to such as that without talkin' first!" |
|
|
At the sight of the doghead, Callum howls and rushes forward, throwing his weight against the gate. "Come and fight me, ye murderin' beasts" he shouts while trying to break into the stronghold. OOC:He may be a bit stupid, but he's not daft - if any bows or other missile weapons appear, he'll retreat out of range. |
|
|
|
|
|
As Rolf returns to the party, Callum goes rushing past him towards the gates waving his great sword and shouting something incoherent...... |
|
|
Rolf shrugs in response to Edgar's query. "It seems opinions vary. Mine is that these lands belong to the Earl Richard. Yon creature seems to disagree." And then Kerim speaks up. "This land is not mine, Kerim. I am but a humble envoy. Those that recognize the rulership of my liege will be generous with their greetings. Of that, I have little doubt. It seems that those behind the wall don't." Elsbeth speaks gently of Rolf's duty. He turns to her, his expression showing that he takes no offense at her disagreement. "Elsbeth, we can't attack every doghead we cross or fight everyone who crosses our paths. We will continue on our way and should they seek to bar our passage, then we will have an accounting. But, what would you have me do? I tried speaking and they wanted none of it. To press the issue would, I fear, only lead to battle and blood. You know I will draw steel in Richards service when the situation calls for it. And besides, might this not be the band that attacked Yuri's folk?" Rolf breaks off further comment at Callum charges past with a roar. "Callum, halt!" He orders, knowing it's a futile order. To the others, he quickly orders, "Stand ready and support of if needful, Elsbeth may get her wish of battle." He turns and rushes after Callum. |
|
|
Elsbeth sees Callum go by and claps a hand to her mouth. "Oh, no!" she whispers. Then, as Rolf gives his orders and gallups off, she expells her breath in exasperation. If she hadn't been on horseback she might have stomped her foot. "Men," she states in annoyance. "I wasn't wanting battle! I was wanting him to enforce... oh, never mind!" She bites her lip and draws her weapon, preparing to ride after him should she need to. |
|
|
Callum made the decision and it's time for Herloch to act. Unhooking the mace from his belt, Herloch rushes after the mighty barbarian. Callum hurtles insults at those inside, looking for a fight. Herloch stops fifteen feet behind him, mace readied for battle to back up the warrior. OOC: Herloch will retreat if Callum does (if ranged weapons appear, for example). |
|
|
Yuri hadn't been wanting a fight either, but it was obvious something was going to have to be done seeming their meeting point was in the middle of this strange fellows territory. An odd meeting place to pick. But his demeanour quickly changed as one then another suggests that these may be the very dogheads that attacked his people. The suggestion doesn't quite sit well with Yuri considering they had just travelled three days from the location of that dreadful event, but none the less Yuri finds himself tightly gripping his sword and having difficulties not charging in with Herloch. |
|
|
|
|
|
Callum goes streaking forward, sword in hand, but clearly preparing to try and charge down the gate. Rolf and Herloch follow on. The rest of you, in various states of excitement, are waiting and watching. The face looking over the gate smiles and you can see it mutter something and grin, as it keeps watching Callum's approach. Getting to withing a few feet of the gate Callum suddenly launches himself at it in one of the most ferocious shoulder charges you have seen. He strikes the gate full on and it seems to give, but after moving about 6 inches, it stops suddenly. Worse, the gate stopped so suddenly that Callum is thrown backwards and sprawls on the floor, two or three feet back the way he came. As Callum struggles to his feet, the gate opens to reveal a 12 feet tall, thick set, humanoid giant holding a club and grinning. There are red marks on the shoulder and lower leg that he used to brace the gate against Callum's attack. "Oi bin told you. Gert orf moi land!" |
|
|
Like Callum and Herloch, Edgar too keeps a close eye out for the appearance of missile weapons, as he squints in the direction of the now empty doorway and the walls above. "Not a good spot to pick for a meeting," he remarks sagely to Mandrake. |
|
|
Madelyn watches in awe as Callum charges off closely followed by Herloch and Rolf. Turning to Elsbeth, "Men", she says and shrugs her shoulders. She pulls her lance free and gets ready to charge, keeping a close eye on what is going to happen at the gate. |
|
|
"Damn it Callum, Leave Off!" Rolf shouts the order to the fallen warrior. Rolf stops short, deciding that should things come to it, he'd be better off with his bow than his blade. |
|
|
"Not a good spot to pick for a meeting," "Indeed not, and hardly the best way to introduce yourself. "That’s two giants, perhaps more and some dogheads as well, I think that Callum has picked a fight that he cannot win this time." |
|
|
|
|
|
You have only seen one giant so far ... |
|
|
Edgar places his head on one side, considering Mandrake's words ... "From what I have seen of Callum's prowess thus far," he says, quite seriously, "I think me that it is the giant and his companions that best beware." |
|
|
========================== |
|