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85 Quiet ... johnb (Admin)
Updated map on the website Legend C = Callum R = Rolf e = Edgar A = Ravn E = Elsbeth M = Mandrake P = Peter Z = Zhiri Y = Yuri K = Kerim L = Laddie M = Madelyn ----------- Elsbeth head's down stairs to pass Rolf's message onto Kerim, and every one goes quiet as they realise quite what the noises from upstairs must mean. Madelyn has already made her way back to the original room and can see occasional glimpses of Callum and Rolf's heads as they work inside the nest. Clearly she can see Edgar sitting on a joist watching the action in the nest, before looking skyward. Rolf and Callum then stand in the nest, with the three dead things, Callum bleeding from a couple of minor wounds. The silence just emphasises the fact that they have killed three helpless creatures. It might have been for the best, but both feel slightly uneasy about the whole business. --------
Time to explore some more Rolf
Rolf stays in place, silent, for a few moments. He feels heart sick at the slaying of the fledglings. Still, he accepted leadership and could not shirk from such duties. Wiping at his eyes, Rolf climbs free of the nest and motions for Callum to follow. Heading for the stairs, Rolf calls down. "We've got some rooms up here to explore and could use a hand."
The eye in the sky Ravn Ashengrey
Ravn, still wondering about the nature of the tiny fire creature and slightly gloomed by his companions' choice of language, lightens up with an eager expression at the sound of Rolf's voice. Something to do, at last! He strolls over to Madelyn, appreciating if not entirely condoning the role of downstairs commander that Rolf has bestowed upon her. "Well, maiden - the Constable summons us. I shall set a guard to watch the exterior but we would be wise to monitor the door across the central hall as well. Who should ascend and who should remain below?" Waiting for her response, Ravn directs his feathered companion with a wave of his left hand, pointing to the roof. "Uddhugg, away! Soar the skies and warn me if living things approach this place!"
The eye in the sky, indeed! Uddhugg
Uddhugg pecks sourly at a charred log in the pile of debris. What now??!? Arrwck! Master beckons! Reluctantly, the unkempt fowl hobbles to the protruding end of the blackened pole and takes to his wings at Ravn's command. Arrwck! All work and no play makes One a dull bird! Cawing in irritation at being interrupted in the most intriguing yet admittedly fruitless task of finding shiny objects or edibles within the ruined mansion, he flies some fifty feet above the buildings and circles it a few times to look for approaching creatures.
none Uddhugg
Cawing wildly Uddhugg flies down towards Ravn.
Standing Guard Madelyn
Madelyn sighs with relief as she sees that Rolf is OK above, although she does not envy him the job that he must perform. She smiles as Elsbeth appears in the doorway, and as the young woman walks over to her, Madelyn holds out her hand for her. "They are doing what must be done Elsbeth, please do not feel bad of yourself for their actions". As Rolf shouts for assistance in searching the upper level, Madelyn turns to see who is about. Madelyn frowns as Ravn approaches her, but nods at his question. "We have searched down here for the time being, so Elsbeth, Laddie and I will wait, and the rest of you should go, the sooner we get this island cleared the better". She walks over to the outside door to let the others know that their assistance is required upstairs before making her way back into the kitchen where she can keep an eye on both of the outside doors, and the door to the opposite wing.
Someone is coming Ravn Ashengrey
Noticing with displeasure both his own negative feelings about Madelyn's appointed role and her frown of discomfort at his approach, Ravn decides that he must effect a change. This is silly! The runes led me to this place, to these people, and I should look for signs of what the Norns have woven here rather than judge the ways of my companions, however incomprehensible they may seem. He makes an effort to clear both his mind and his face of his prejudiced reservations before speaking further to the young woman. "Maiden, I fear I have failed to properly express...." Ravn's apologetic attempts at reconciliation are abruptly halted by a shrill cawing as the one-eyed crow comes in for a hasty landing. The weathered creature misses its destination and proceeds past the rune caster's shoulder, the cawing rising to a horrified shriek that ends rather suddenly in a flurry of feathers and a puff of dust as Uddhugg crash lands in the far corner of the kitchen. "By ODIN! What..?!?" Ravn swiftly shifts his gaze from the bird, now hobbling in shock and with a distinct stagger from the crash site, to the skies from whence it came - nothing - then to Madelyn. "I think someone's coming."
Downstairs Elsbeth
"They are doing what must be done Elsbeth, please do not feel bad of yourself for their actions", states Madelyn, holding out her hand. The druid takes the offered hand, squeezing it. "Aye, I be knowing that," she replies. "The Gods know, there be no easy solutions in nature, where the innocent die and so too the not-so-innocent." She shakes her head. "Rolf knows better than most of these warriors, that the ways of nature are not so easy as the ways of combat. Nor as simple." She sighs and holds the hand a long moment, then releases it, calling Laddie to her. She looks up as Ravn approaches and frowns. He reminds her so much of that other warrior lad- so sure of himself, and so sure of the place of women in his world. "What is your beastie seeing that Edgar is not?" she asks Ravn.
Thats better ... Laddie
Laddie quietens as Elbeth comes back down stairs and leaves Yuri's side immediately, without even a backward glance of thanks. Rubbing himself against her leg, his tail wagging gently, he falls in quietly beside her.
Let's take a look Ravn Ashengrey
Another frowning face - surely that secret heart-winner rune of Odin's would come in handy now, had he but spared the time to learn its secrets. Well, there are other ways than magic - a verse from the song of Havamal rings briefly before his inner ear: Fairly shalt Thou promise and fairly promise keep.. We will see about that. He regards the druidess with a smile. "I know neither what Edgar sees nor what Uddhugg has observed and so cannot compare his view with that of my faithful companion." There is an odd, slightly blameful tone to the way he pronounces the word faithful and casts a brief glance at the crow trying to get its plume into some sort of order. "But with Madelyn's permission I shall steal outside to learn more..?" Ravn looks to Madelyn for her approval.
Onward... Callum mac Aonghas
Callum checks his wounds and decides that they are insignificant. Rolf motions him to follow and Callum quickly checks the nest for any obvious booty before struggling up after him. "I wouldna be worrying about this, man. Who knows how many innocent lives we just saved!" he says clumsily to Rolf. "Come on, lets be about our business".
Crow's the word Madelyn
Slightly startled at the crows behaviour Madelyn shrugs it off, probably as temperamental as it’s master she thinks to herself, but nods at Ravn’s suggestion to check outside. As he turns to leave, her manners catch up with her, "I’m sorry, Ravn", she pauses before continuing, "Yes, checking outside maybe a wise idea if you feel that there could be a problem"
Will do! Ravn Ashengrey
"I shall go at once!" Ravn accepts his task eagerly, much pleased with again having a chance to prove his worth and hardly noticing Madelyn's brisk manner before she does herself. Her spoken reiteration of her command surprises him, and he returns her politeness with an understanding smile. "Don't be sorry - regret is the weakling's comfort that speaks of actions untrue to the soul. Just be you and I shall be me." Then he quickly walks out the kitchen door to do a round of the premises, spear in hand, scouting for signs of approaching strangers.
Putting it in the past Rolf
Rolf nods solemnly, appreciating Callum's effort even if it did little to ease his conscience. Clapping the warrior on the shoulder, Rolf says, "Aye, let us be about it." Leading the way down the corridor, Rolf stops at the first door on the left. Gesturing for Callum to cover the far side of the doorway, Rolf pushes gently at the door.
Part time wolf trainer Yuri
His task of looking after Laddie having been completed, and his interest piqued by the crash landing bird, Yuri follows Madelyn outside.
Respectfully yours ... Edgar
Edgar continues to stare through the hole in the roof in the hope that he might also see what has so worried Uddhugg. But he does not leave his perch. His vigil is momentarily interrupted by Callum's attempt to salve the Warden's conscience. "It was necessary," the raven calls down softly, to Rolf. "Whether the fledglings would have taken after their mother or whether they would have simply starved to death, what was done was necessary." There is a new note in Edgar's tone. That of a respect for this man that leads the group; a respect that comes not from mere position or standing, but that is honestly earned and thus all the more deserved.
A stubborn Rolf Rolf
At Edgar's words, Rolf turns to face the raven. "My thanks for your kind words my friend." He pauses thoughtfully and nods, "Aye, we've done the necessary thing, but I fear it wasn't the right thing? Yet, the lot is cast and there is little point in bemoaning choices past. Let us turn our eyes to what lays ahead."
update johnb (Admin)
Uddhugg slowy gets to his feet and flaps to a perch on some deris, as Elsbeth and Madelyn talk, and the three upstairs calm each others nerves. Kerim and Zhiri, who are still out side, and Madrake and Peter, who are stood in the doorway, see the crow fly out, climb above the height of the building and then dive back inside, as fast as he can.
what the .. Peter Gasgano
Peter frowns and mutters as Ravn's crow flies, seemingly haphazardly, in and out of the building. "Looks like it needs some training " he mumbles to himself.
Sharing patrol Ravn Ashengrey
Ravn returns to the building's interior, heading straight for the gnome. "Sir," the noble address seems somehow off toward a man of such short stature but he does have the Earl's favor, "we have need of your speaking raven." Ravn points to his own bird companion, still polishing its crumbled feathers. "My crow seems to have detected approaching creatures, but from the ground outside I fail to see anyone." He summons Uddhugg with a hand gesture. "Perhaps we could send them off together and have you raven report in speech?"
Plan B Edgar
Edgar doesn't bother to correct Ravn's miscomprehension as to his 'ownership', after all, he knows what stock most two-legs place upon possessing things ... but he does see a slightly quicker solution than the Norseman's to finding out what so rattled the crow. "Or I could just ask him now ..." he says, dryly, before reverting to the tongue of birds and directing his enquiries to Uddhugg. "Caaark-caaaaaaark-caaarrk ?" [Is there danger from above ?]
Exact Postion Kerim Alakani
OOC: Hey, GM, I thought Zhiri and I were in the doorway, not outside in the exposed open. Assuming we are outside. Kerim grabs Zhiri's elbow and backs inside the house, Scimitar in hand again, scanning the heavens for the absent 'Mate' he spoke of. "Come, safety lies within."
OOC johnb (Admin)
I'm cool that Kerim and Zhiri are in the doorway.
Cark Uddhugg
"Cak cak cak carrrk" replies Uddhugg
Fowl language Ravn Ashengrey
Ravn frowns at the agitated cawing of the twain birds, Lord Odin! why couldn't You have chosen nightingales instead..?, and stretches his hand with the crow away from his head to relieve his tormented ear. "Well, Edgar, can you make any sense of it?" Ravn studies Edgar with interest - it feels odd yet at the same time how strangely natural to address the speaking raven as if it were a person. Maybe it is..? Stranger things have been known to happen.
Okay Zhiri
Zhiri is content to move when Kerim pulls her inside, picking up the skirts of her long dress and following him. "You are a long way from home too, cousin."
Ever cautious Mandrake
As the wolf descends the stairs and approaches, Mandrake moves to keep someone else between it and himself, keeping an eye on it's actions. Mandrake notes the behaviour of the crow. "I don't know about training, that looked like a dive in fear to me." He then steps into the building, half hiding in the doorway and scans the limited area of sky visible to him and just in case asks the others "Have you any cheese to spare?"