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Before long camp is established and set and a hot meal is ready, finally filled and slightly more relaxed you settle down for the evening. The night passes peacefully, although there are a couple of occasions when shadowy figures are seen off in the distance, but they are indistinct and don't move any closer to you. Each watch is a bit tense, what with the giant and the dogheads being so close, and the hand-overs are all a bit jittery. No one sleeps really well and everyone is pleased to see day break, signalling a new morning. ----------- DagdaDay 30 Mai 593 Full Moon ----------- Soon there is a breakfast cooking, and warming teas to drink, and then the morning sets in. You anticipate being here for the day and another night, so the tedium of camp life sets in. You spend some time checking over armour weapons, animal tack, food supplies and all the other things that might get damaged during journeys and battles. All the while keeping an eye out towards the giant's house, to make sure that nothing untoward is happening there. Occasionally you see the giant's head lift over the walls, and soon work out that he is probably checking that you are still there and behaving your self. At about midday Peter givers a shout and points out into the Loch of water in front of you. Sailing up the Loch is a flotilla of ships, a day earlier than you expected. In the lead you recognise Flower's Midnight Sky and she is followed by a longship, a knarr and a curragh. You can clearly see Richard Briganda and Segovax of the Treverii standing chatting to Jesse and Rethe as the ship draws towards you. As they draw closer you can identify the ships between you. The longship is Angasan and is one of their three 'naval' vessels. As it gets closer you can see that it flies the personal standard of Augustus, Malik of Angasa and is captained by no less than Greybeard, the Harbour Master and Alderman of Angasa, along with his wooden leg, hook hand and famous talking parrot. Madelyn recognises, along side him, Sir Erik Forkbeard the preceptor of the Angasa Chapter of the Order of the Saga and his two squires - Archibald and Branna. The Knarr, Rolf identifies as belonging to his own Lord, Jen Jensen, who has a couple of other Knights gathered around him, and Elsbeth recognises the Curragh as Edwy's. With awe you realise that that is probably the largest collection of Nobles and Chivalry that has met together for months, and perhaps the largest this area has every seen in the modern era - and its heading straight for your camp site ... The ships dock - well The Midnight Sky pulls up at the dilapidated quay and the other beach themselves. Within minutes there are sailors and soldiers swarming all over the place setting up large tents and pavilions. One huge open sided pavilion goes up and you can hardly believe it as a huge 'picnic' spread is laid out. Then the Nobles and Chivalrics are ashore and almost before you know it you are all being invited to a 'finger buffet' picnic, and asked for accounts of the journey - and why you are camped down here rather than up at the old fort? |
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Madelyn is as excited as the others about seeing the fleet … that is until she recognises Erik Forkbeard. On seeing him, the colour drains from her face, and she takes a few paces back before collapsing onto the floor with her head in her hands. Tears roll down her face, as she tries to get straight inside her head what she must tell him. |
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Rolf spends the evening and his turn at watch with his rudimentary weapon skills, fire hardening the tips of his light spears. Spending the morning in practicing the casting of the crude javelins, he shrugs. His skill isn't all that impressive, but it would grow. His attention is drawn by Peters shout and he is quick to head towards the pier. He is stunned, seeing so many nobles all in one place. And then he notices Madelyn's reaction. Kneeling beside her, he puts a friendly arm about her. "Strength, my fair Madelyn. Nobles they may be, but they are also just men. You've earned honor in their service." Unsure what to say to help her, he adds, "I must greet our visitors, please put aside what bothers you so." Leaving her even more confused, Rolf continues onwards to the pier. As the men disembark and make the pavilion ready, Rolf greets Sir Richard. As soon as he may, he also greets Jen Jensen and then others. Facing a fine meal, Rolf is a bit disappointed at the call for a tale of their deeds, but puts it aside. It is the way of the noble born. "Sire, as you command." Rolf speaks briefly of the first march and it's end at Farfobest. The first attack with the dogheads and the slaying of the mage, who was interred with honor fitting a Norseman fallen in battle. Then the march to Mistation and tales of the creature that sweeps off with cows entire and their desire to return and try and track it down. And then the Hunt and the slaying of yet more dogheads. The honor and succor of Edwy and his people. And lastly, he speaks of the fort nearby. "Sire, the fort yonder is claimed by one of great stature, a true giant and a weaver of spells. With him are dogheads in unknown numbers. Some of my companions desired to slay these trespassers upon your lands and I myself was tempted. But I left the old fort alone for the moment. On the one hand, peace might be possible with the brute, though at the price of a bit of land. On the other, I did not wish you to enter a battle without warning." He pauses and meets Richards gaze with a look of confidence, "Shall we rid you of this nuisance?" |
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Elsbeth looks with awe as so many she has seen or heard of are all gathered in one place. She hurridly checks her clothing and calls Laddie over to her so he doesn't get underfoot. She then sees Madelyn's reaction. She glances over at the gathering, then sees Rolf go to her. She waits until he finishes and then hesitates only long enough to make sure she isn't being summoned before going herself to kneel at the woman's side. Placing an arm around Madelyn's shoulders, Elsbeth leans close. "What ails you?" she asks as gently as she can. |
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Madelyn shakes her head at Rolf’s words without raising it out of her hands, she is about to reply, but he makes his excuse and leaves … once more she is racked with sobs. She relaxes a little as Elsbeth puts her arm around her, and she leans gently into the young woman that has become such a close friend. Her sobs ease up enough, so that she can talk … "Oh, Elsbeth", she starts, "I have made such a mess of my life, and I do not know what to do for the best" She draws her knees up, and folding her arms around them, she rests her head on her knees so that she can see Elsbeth. Her face is tearstained and blotchy red, she takes a deep breath before continuing, "You see, I made an oath to the church, but now I have broken that oath in more ways than one, and I am afraid. Sir Erik Forkbeard is amongst the nobility gathering here, he is … he was …", she shakes her head, a fresh tear escaping, "…. I was instructed by him, I was sent here as an envoy for the church, I have disgraced them … and now I must face him". She stiffens again, as her body racks with more sobs, taking her a moment to regain her composure, she finishes, "Elsbeth, I don’t know what to say to him, what to tell him" |
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Elsbeth listens, her eyes dawning with understanding as Madelyn speaks. Though she knows very little of the Order from which the other woman hails, she knows of oaths and duties. She sees now the turmoil in the warrior woman that had been brewing since that day in the swamp with a doghead dead at their feet. The younger woman dabs at the tears on Madelyn's face, wiping them with her fingers gently. "The Gods do not be asking the service of other Gods," the Druid replies quietly. "They be having us, mortal men and women to be doing their bidding. We ourselves are not Gods but are flesh and blood with the strong and the weak all in one." She sighs. "We give our oaths with the love and conviction of our faith, but can only honor those oaths with the strength that is in us." She pushes the hair back from the warrior woman's eyes and looks carefully into them. "When all is said and done, all ye can be doing is to be Madelyn, a woman strong of limb, great of heart and someone I've learned to care a great deal for. Ye can only be you. And if this Madelyn has been chosen to follow another path than that which she was following, then can the Gods be asking more than that? Tell your teacher the truth and serve as ye can, not as others would have ye. No one, not even the Gods, can ask more than that." |
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Madelyn lets the younger woman wipe the tears from her face, and despite her turmoil even manages a small smile. She listens carefully to what Elsbeth is telling her about doing the Gods bidding, and the strength that is in us. Madelyn returns the young woman’s gaze, and nods slightly in agreement with what Elsbeth is telling her. As Elsbeth finishes what she is saying, Madelyn thinks for a moment before putting her arms around the young girls neck and giving her a huge gentle hug. "You have been a good friend to me Elsbeth, you have seen me through some really bad times, and I have thoroughly enjoyed your company. Your words make sense, and I guess that I should pull myself together, and face what needs to be done". She releases Elsbeth from her grip, and makes eye contact with her, before adding quietly "I love you Elsbeth, Thank You for everything" |
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Elsbeth smiles, dropping her eyes shyly. "You're welcome, Madelyn. And don't worry. I'll back you up." Standing quickly, the druid smooths her dress and watches Rolf converse. She looks at her own folk, seeing if she is needed. |
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"Thank you", says Madelyn. She stands, and straightens herself also, wiping her face on her sleeve. "I guess we should join the others, before we are missed too much" |
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As the great ships approach, Edgar resumes his perch on Mandrake's shoulder, where he sits quietly, much awed by the sheer numbers of shipborne nobility (even if he attributes such to the wealth displayed, rather than knowing specifics about any persons). Shifting his weight companionably (for the gnome's earlier gesture further cemented the growing friendship betwixt the two), he inquires of Mandrake as to the names and ranks of the newcomers, and regards them studiedly in an effort to remember who is who. Two things cause him concern: the first being Madelyn's distress, for which he can see no cause, though he nods his head happily as Elsbeth comforts her; the second being the Warden's request to attack the fort, which causes him to cluck sadly for he does not wish the Giant ill. |
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After his shout Peter remains watching the ships drawing closer to the shore. His face showing surprise almost every time he spots a face he knows. When Madelyn collapses he takes a pace or two towards her, but holds back as first Rolf and then Elsbeth comfort her. Later as people disembark from the ships he runs around clearing his camp cooking gear out of the way to ensure that it is not caught up with anything bought ashore by the seamen. There are a few he recognises, both from Flower's crew and from Greybeards crew, and those he nods at in greeting. Later still, as the nobles and officers come ashore, Peter nods greetings to those he has met previously. The observant among you recognise that he seems to know, at least in passing, everyone of status on Greybeard's longship. During the picnic, he stays moves quietly between groups, not saying very much, but making polite conversation where appropriate. |
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Kerim, lost in most of the complex happenings within his own group of travellers seems to shy somewhat further at the arrival of the nobles. Not that he dislikes nobles, only that it seems to spell a temporary end to the freedom of travelling and a return to mundane life. After a while he drifts between those in his group, save Rolf who is attending the nobles, asking who is who, where from etc for those he doesn't know. He too seems worried at the mention of battle, though it appears he would consider himself excluded from any militia assembled to do the deed. |
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Richard Briganda listens to Rolf's report gravely, occasionally asking questions or commenting to Jensen and Augustus. At the end of the he comment "Thank you Rolf, I will reslove the issue with this giant after lunch. Jen? Will you ask the officers to get the men fallen in and ready, please? We should, I think have a proper tremebererance for Aenis - he did after all fall in my service, and it is right to recognise that. How should we best go about that, do you think?" He glances at Forkbeard, Heloch and a stranger in fancy clothes as he says that. Forkbeard, meanwhile has moved across to madelyn and is drawing her to one side, so imisses the significance of the glance in his direction. As he draws her to one side he glances at madelyn and seeing the troubled look in her eyes and the signs of recent tears - he takes her further to a quiet area away from the bustle of the pavillion and soldiers. Sitting companionably on one of the earth banks he says, "What ails you, child?" While all this is going on, Segovax places his arm through Elsbeth's and, patting her hand in a proprietary fashion, leads her across to listen to Rolf's tale to the Earl. At briganda's instruction to jensen he nods at Edwy, and before long, the Celts seem to be forming up close to, but seperate from, the forces of Jensen. Flower is there along with Zona, his ubiquitous cabin boy/guard. So There are also strange norse men who seem to be of slight,ly lower staus than jensen - but perhaps are the social equals of Edwy, as well as the Captain of the longship, a couple of fairly seniort compaions for Augustus and the well dressed stranger. Flower nods to each of you that he knows amiably, and Greybeard makes a quiet comment or two to Peter that seems to draw a smile to both their faces.
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Madelyn follows Forkbeard to where he leads her, now is as good a time as any she thinks to herself. She takes a seat on the earth bank, but does not relax. "What ails you, child?" Taking a deep breath before letting it out as a slow sigh, she says, "Sir, I have seriously erred in my ways, and have broken the oath that I made to the church". She pauses, waiting for a response. |
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" Continue, my child." he answers mildly |
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"I have very deep feelings for a friend, and in my frustration at feeling this way, I have killed a creature in cold blood". Tears roll gently down her cheeks as she lowers her gaze to the floor. |
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Before leaving the fortress: Callum watches and listens to all the byplay. Before leaving, he says to the giant. "Perhaps I was hasty in calling feud, but it stands while you have the enemies of my blood within your hall." At the arrival of all the ships, Callum tries to blend into the background as much as he is able. These people may be important, but whatever their claims, he considers himself only nominally subject to anyone other than his clan chieftain. He stands back and watches what happens, showing some surprise at Madelyn's behaviour. Surely she's not still upset about yon doghead she strangled. |
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Last rites |
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The stranger rubs his thin beard contemplation for a moment before answering. His voice is warm and gentle, a contrast to his pale and somewhat sinister appearance. "Noble Lord, by your emissary's account all proper rites that could have been performed have so been. By any reckoning, a brave man died a brave man's death and now sits with the Einherjar's horde in glorious celebration of the godly destiny that awaits them." His gaze wanders from Richard Briganda around the assembled crowd as he continues. "Man dies, woman dies, cattle dies, all things die. But I know of one thing that never dies, and that is the memory of a man's brave deeds." The stranger takes a drinking horn from the picninc table, fills it to the rim, and draws an ale-brown rune in the white foam. "As we mortals await the Alfather's summoning we can but be brave and salute those who have already been deemed worthy to fight at Ragnarök. Hail their deeds that they may do the same for you in Valhalla!" He passes the horn to Briganda, urging him to make the first salute. |
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Yuri finds himself lost again. Not sure of what ails Madelyn so nor why her conversations with Rolf and Elsbeth turned so serious. Nor does he have any idea who the arriving people are (until he asks and is told) or the customs they always seem to act out. All this further embeds Yuri's feelings of not quite fitting in. Even more so now he feels like a stranger, realising there is much he does not know, much these people have been through together, close bonds they have formed, much he does not understand. ... but then again, by all means he is a stranger, and them to him, having only known one and all for under a week... But still, Yuri contends himself with sitting silently through lunch, contemplating recent events, as depressing as they may be. |
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Herloch eats the food, but doesn't look for ale and wouldn't drink any if he found some. The food is delicious and soon the priest is full. When Richard Briganda seems to ask Herloch about how to honor their fallen friend, he seems somewhat surprised. He says, "Well, if you want to honor him in the way the followers of Thor do, you would setup a great feast. Lots of food, wine and women. Talk of his tales, reenact his battles." Eventually he makes his way over to Captain Flower. He approaches him saying, "Sir, I wish to obtain passage aboard your vessel. What I seek is not here. My destiny is not here. It must be elsewhere. I will do what is needed of me while aboard. I don't have the sailing skills, but I am not above learning." OOC: I am leaving Galinia. Thanks for a half-year or more of great role-playing! Finally Herloch will be out of your hair. :) |
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Edgar eyes the parrot perched on the shoulder of the greybeard cautiously, eager to test out if this bird can indeed talk, for he would much like to compare experiences. However, if it merely make sounds with no understanding, then any conversation would be of no gain to either. Alas, he is much cowed by the sheer numbers of men, and also the regard offered to their leaders, and remains in the background for the nonce, whispering to Mandrake when something takes his interest. Neither does he fail to note that more than one member of what he considers "his two-legs" seem similarily out of place here. |
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Elsbeth puts on a good face as she is lead by her most high leader. As she is with her folk, she cannot help but glance back at Madelyn. Still, she too watches the proceedings, her hand resting carefully on her Lord's arm. "The Giant but claims land and gives hearth to others, even those of our enemies," she whispers. "I did disagree with Warder Rolf on this, as I wanted to be granting him such and Warder Rolf believed we had not that authority." She sighs, remembering her burdens thus far. "Still, I honor his word as I am required. And I honor yours, My Lord." The uneasiness in her voice is evident. OOC: Thanks for some very good gaming, Joe. We will miss you. We will miss Herloch as well, despite his ways! Elsbeth was looking forward to 'reforming' him! :) |
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Segovax pats Elsbeth's hand gently. "Rolf was right." He says quietly and a little sadly, "But lets see what The Earl does after lunch ...." Forkbeard takes on an even more serious aspect and says "Tell me how this has happened .." Briganda nod towards Herloch and takes the Horn from Ravn, spilling a little as he does so - but his voice rings clearly, "Aenis - he rode with the Valkerie." before he pases it to Augustus and then Segovax who both call "Aenis." as they drink from it. Segovax hands it on to Elsbeth .... At Heloch's question, Flower responds, "If it is your will - and you have no unduscharged duties to The Earl or his men - you may sail with me, and my men will teach you the ways of the sea." |
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Mandrake does his best to introduce the dignity he knows, but this is only a small proportion, and otherwise sharing comments on the people and their manners and attire. Mandrake is happy to take Edgar to the parrot and hopes though he doubts it, that the bird can do much more than mimic. It must be lonely being so rare a creature. There are so many tall people around, and Mandrake looks about for a crowd of smaller folk into which he can blend, failing that though, he looks for the chance to slip away and join the more common folk or sailors. |
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Raising her head, Madelyn continues, "it was whilst we were dealing with the swamp creatures. We had captured a dog head, and I was bringing up the rear. I was asked to mind him, whilst the others went forward to converse with the swamp creatures. He was on a rope, tied around his wrists". She picks a blade of grass and aimlessly turns it over and over in her fingers. "He was fidgeting and trying to escape, he really didn’t want to be in the swamp and was trying his hardest to escape. The rope became twisted, he was causing problems …", she turns her gaze to the blade of grass in her hand, unable to look at Forkbeard, as she describes her hideous deed, a little quieter she continues, "… I coiled the rope around his neck, and pulled … I wouldn’t release it", her body shakes with fits of sobs, "Oh sir, how can I ever be forgiven?" Dropping the blade of grass her hands go to her face, as she waits for the response. |
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Forkbeard reaches out and takes Madelyn's hands in his. "It is not for everyone to be able to live with the strictures of the order, and many have tried to live within the order's codes and failed - there is no lasting disgrace in that. Some others have transgressed against the codes, and repented their deeds publically and gone on to redidicate themselves to the order. That can happen but once in the lifetime of a candidate, and only then when they show true contrition. You are touched by the death of this doghead and you have come to me and told me willingly of it, and you have shed tears - some of which are for you and the order and some were for your friends - but some were for the doghead too. I will pray on the matter, but I believe you are truly contrite, in which case you will be offered the chance to rededicate your oath. If however my prayers show you not truly contrite, you will be publically stipped of your membership of the order and left to the mercy of the world. I go to pray now - but we will resolve this later today. Have faith my child and pray to the gods now for your forgiveness - you have the strength for this. It won't be easy, but you can overcome this trial if you continue to pray for help and and have faith in the teachings of the gods." He leaves her slowly and signals for his squires to attend him. Walking beyond the edges of the encampment he finds a place to pray and meditate on the matter. As you watch him, he now seems much older and more care worn than he was when he landed, almost as if the cares of the world are sitting on his shoulders. |
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Madelyn watches him go, before she stares down at her hand that he had held moments ago. Maybe there is hope for me yet she thinks to herself. Looking down at the gathering on the shore, she decides she is not ready to face them just yet, and heading off in the opposite direction to Forkbeard, she finds a quiet place where she hopes she will not be interrupted. Kneeling on the ground, she closes her eyes and clasps her hands in prayer. |
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Joe - sorry we are loosing you. Madelyn was looking forward to getting to know Herloch a little better once she sorted her life out! Anyways, take care and look after yourself. Dogowar – Welcome aboard, I hope you enjoy the game as much as I do :0) |
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Rolf remains in the background, waiting upon Sir Richard's pleasure. |
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