Fay was confused, amused and annoyed. This crazy old woman was twice as stubborn as Pa and just as righteous. She watched Rosemary follow her and pulled her hood farther over her head, changing her ears only to the smallest degree so she could hear the words clearly. Shifting she turned, her one ear following Rosemary's footsteps, the other now pointed at Kori as he grumbled and raged. She bit back a smile at his grumblings.
"Why in the bloody hell are you telling me? I poked him with a hammer and it's not like I'm inconspicuous, I'm taller than most of the damn houses in this town!" Okay maybe that wasn't a grumble Fay winced at the loudness and power of the shout but shoved the pain aside and continued to listen to the footsteps as Kori grumped about.
"Damn damn damn. Short skinny assholes that throw lightning bolts at me, Old women that won't listen, guards that look like 12 year old. What the hell is wrong with this damn place? Now, now I'm getting bossed around by someone I don't even know. This is why I never got married. Nothing. There isn't even a chicken walking down the street!" Fay was in tears trying not to laugh by now. She KNEW the situation was critical, she really did, but this was just too damn funny. She was risking her life, job and reputation on a woman who was intent on saving herself and a not-so-dead friend while trying (and failing miserably she may add) to keep innocent bystanders out of the fray. Oh Gods... the things Fay get's herself into.... Her ears pricked when she heard the footsteps stop and both swiveled, unnoticed, under he hood towards Rosemary, catching the words even as she listened to Saruna's already unsteady heart beat faster with every word.
"You said you trusted my judgment. When we found Gustel's treachery, you said that you trusted my judgment, and I said that I would protect you.
"This is still the same situation. This is about Gustel. Either my bluff failed or his employers caught onto him, but either way, I haven't finished protecting you. And I need you to trust my judgment again." Fay turned, and watched, knowing what Rosemary -- now confirmed as Derin in her mind -- was saying.
"I lied to you when I said that I didn't have any magic, as should be abundantly clear right now. It's a dangerous ability that comes at great risk and personal cost, and I don't like to do it more than I absolutely have to, but in this case it can help us. We can fix this. We can clear both our names. If you help me." Father always did say she had a habit of knowing too much when it came to eavesdropping... Fay did not believe this theory counted in this situation, the more she knew, the better. A plan began brewing in her mind.
It was clear Derin didn't want Fay or the tall one involved with the plan, which was fine enough... except that when they did some into play it was as a distraction, which wasn't. Fay really didn't think that Derin truly understood magic, but on the other hand who did? Fay sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose again, and was about to throw her hands in the air in defeat when Kori grumbled:
"I need a beer." Fay chocked and laughed at the sudden comment, she couldn't help it! Father would have slapped her or beat her for it, but who cared? It was all so simple! She was likely going to die for the sake of an old woman and a demon? Oh by the Gods...
"Yes, I would like to have one as well, tall one. Which brings me to another topic, what is your name?" Fay asked looking up, shielding her eyes from the glare. He was about to answer when Fay heard footsteps - and none that belonged to their little group. Fay froze, Melagone.
"Shit..." She hissed before looking up at Kori. "I know I do not know you, and I know that you care little if naught for the two over there, but please get them out of here and fast. Melagone is coming towards us, though he is far enough to have not seen even you. Fay turned and sniffed the air, wincing at the pungent odor or death that followed and preceded Mela.
"Please, I will stall him." Fay said, dashing out to meet the mage, bile rising in her throat. Gods let him be stupid and mad... the more upset he was, the stupider he became... God's let him be furious...
Happily Ever After
Re: Happily Ever After
Saruna was taken aback, head sent reeling by Derin's words. "Y-you're. . .Derin?" She stumbled sideways, legs gone weak from the yet throbbing tailbone and the news both. It was a large concept to fit her head around, too large for such a traumatic day. Too traumatic. It was not so easy for her as all the young adults made it out to be; she'd received several shocks within the past few hours. How could she simply accept their promises and words, as if her past few decades of experience counted for naught?
She cut short a bitter laugh, and did not notice Melagone's sudden appearance. "Why would you wish to stay here? This city rots from the inside out. I am too old to fight it." And, too weak. If the experience of her father's disappearance had left any mark, it was that Marn did not work on the order of justice or fairness. They'd as like disappear Rosemary too, if only for being involved.
"Come away with me." She whispered, on the small nugget of hope, of promise that something of Derin existed in the girl.
She cut short a bitter laugh, and did not notice Melagone's sudden appearance. "Why would you wish to stay here? This city rots from the inside out. I am too old to fight it." And, too weak. If the experience of her father's disappearance had left any mark, it was that Marn did not work on the order of justice or fairness. They'd as like disappear Rosemary too, if only for being involved.
"Come away with me." She whispered, on the small nugget of hope, of promise that something of Derin existed in the girl.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Happily Ever After
Derin frowned. She hadn't expected Saruna to be so adamant in her desire to flee. Whether she was merely not confident in her ability to fight or she had grander plans, Derin didn't know -- but Derin didn't want to leave, not yet. She had to squash the knowledge of her bracelet or the area would never be safe for her.
"I swore to stay here and I will do everything I can to do so," she said. "We can still -- "
Megalone? Megalone was coming?
"We've lingered too long. We need to leave. Now."
"I swore to stay here and I will do everything I can to do so," she said. "We can still -- "
Megalone? Megalone was coming?
"We've lingered too long. We need to leave. Now."
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KoriStronghammer
- Citizen
- Posts: 332
- Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:27 am
- Name: Kori Stronghammer
- Race: HumanNorthernman
Re: Happily Ever After
Hmmmmm. Little ugly was back, and he looked pissed. Then again, he did get smacked in the face with a really heavy hammer. Who wouldn't be pissed? The people that did the right thing and died from that hit, but nooooooooooo I have to get in a fight with a man whose bones and flesh may as well be steel apparently. And also, really fun. I'm answering my own questions. I'm talking to myself. Shut up self.
Kori shook his head, dispelling his internal conversation. Ok, so little woman wanted to go talk to him, and since they knew each other, it would probably work out. For Kori and the women, it wouldn't. If he seen Miss Saruna, he would probably become a real ass again, and may hurt the old woman. Time to get them out of here.
Climbing to his feet, he watched as the little one, the Fayane, walked towards the mage. Strapping his shield in place and his hammer in its loops, he ran. Running towards the two women, he yelled,
"Sorry ladies, but time to leave!"
as he scooped them up and placed them on his shoulders, tearing ass down the road towards the woods.
SON OF A! I never got my beer!
Kori shook his head, dispelling his internal conversation. Ok, so little woman wanted to go talk to him, and since they knew each other, it would probably work out. For Kori and the women, it wouldn't. If he seen Miss Saruna, he would probably become a real ass again, and may hurt the old woman. Time to get them out of here.
Climbing to his feet, he watched as the little one, the Fayane, walked towards the mage. Strapping his shield in place and his hammer in its loops, he ran. Running towards the two women, he yelled,
"Sorry ladies, but time to leave!"
as he scooped them up and placed them on his shoulders, tearing ass down the road towards the woods.
SON OF A! I never got my beer!
Re: Happily Ever After
Fay knew Mela hadn't heard or seen the other three with her... that was until:"Sorry ladies, but time to leave!". Fay saw Melagone stop, heard his teeth grin, saw his eyes widen and knew there was no peaceful, easy, way to keep Mela away from the other three. Oh she was going to kill the tall one when she found him again for this... if she was alive.
"You -- you whore! They're getting away!" Fay thought and thought fast. If she attacked him she'd likely die... but if she acted stupid... hmm. Fayane whirled, her cloak billowing behind her as she cursed.
"Gods damn it all, I know I bound them hand and foot... must have been the big one. Come Melagone we must hurry if we are to catch them." Fay snarled and jogged after the three, thinking fast. She had to distract him, if she didn't that'd throw the idea of Derin being dead out of the window. She could hear the tall one's heavy and fast steps - way ahead of them, Melagone wouldn't be able to hear or see them.
"They will have split up - you follow the road, I'll search the woods, got it?" Fay ordered sharply. Melagone snarled.
"Like hell, you idiotic whore - you'll get lost! I'll search the woods and you follow the road." Mela took off before Fay could act angry, happy when he did what she had hoped he would. Once she made sure he was out of sight Fay raced to catch up to the group, hoping she could help somehow.
"You -- you whore! They're getting away!" Fay thought and thought fast. If she attacked him she'd likely die... but if she acted stupid... hmm. Fayane whirled, her cloak billowing behind her as she cursed.
"Gods damn it all, I know I bound them hand and foot... must have been the big one. Come Melagone we must hurry if we are to catch them." Fay snarled and jogged after the three, thinking fast. She had to distract him, if she didn't that'd throw the idea of Derin being dead out of the window. She could hear the tall one's heavy and fast steps - way ahead of them, Melagone wouldn't be able to hear or see them.
"They will have split up - you follow the road, I'll search the woods, got it?" Fay ordered sharply. Melagone snarled.
"Like hell, you idiotic whore - you'll get lost! I'll search the woods and you follow the road." Mela took off before Fay could act angry, happy when he did what she had hoped he would. Once she made sure he was out of sight Fay raced to catch up to the group, hoping she could help somehow.
Last edited by Fayane on Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Happily Ever After
Despite the pain, and the surprise, and the discomfort, Saruna had time to think. It wasn't by any means a comfortable think, but when slung over the shoulder of a man who was traveling at a bumpy but fast speed, there wasn't much else to do but try not to fall off and imagine the pain that would hit her in the morning. And think. Or ignore the blazing pain that spread from her backside like some sort of fever. But mostly think.
It was almost a relief, in a way. She had made many decisions in the past few moons that had broken the pall of years over her. She had always been the passive one, even in disagreement with her husband. The fires of youth in her had been banked with her father's disappearance, and one by one the remaining embers had gone out. There had been a flicker of flame with Derin, but when she looked back at the gain she had thought she had made, she had to wonder: was it worth it? This time she couldn't stop the quiet tears that welled up in her eyes, and she turned her face away from both Kori and . . .Rosemary, knowing they would not be able to hear or see her quiet shame.
In her youth, she had known everyone. She had been bright, vivid, painfully naive. Life was an adventure designed to be lived through the bothersome guidance of nurses, matrons and the women of her family. The world was hers to live as she wanted, even despite the pinching bitterness that marked her family like ink. Despite the arguments and the sharp words, she had been happy. And when she had been married to Lukol, she hadn't exactly been displeased. She had been happy to have her own household. It was expected, the thing all proper young women had striven for, along with healthy sons and a tightly run home. And moving east had been an adventure. Despite the tight expressions, and the quiet weeping of her mother at night, it had been something to experience.
Shim hadn't been a prison at the start. It was a quaint, hard working little town. People were friendly, mostly, and the ones who weren't were the sort of cute grumps that could be softened with sweets and soft words. She had loved it for its humble size and quiet nature. It was such a sharp contrast that she couldn't help but find it exotic instead of boring. She had settled to it with a will and a zest, learning new things and working hard to be a good daughter and wife. And when she needed the thrill of crowds and strangers, she had but to go into Marn. She loved it. And she still got to see her trader grandparents, as the Modanichs would occasionally travel through with their caravans, and stop by to share strange and foreign goods with their daughter and her family.
Everything changed when Pagon, her father, was taken. He had been the heart of their family, filled with passion and verve. Saruna had never known another man like her father, who had always treated life as something to be cherished and experienced with careful attention. It was he who had given her her spark and desire to live. It was he who had them all excited at each new day to be assimilated into Shim, to turn the strange place into their home. To love it as if they had been born there.
The trouble with Marn's guards had been like an arrow to her heart. She and her mother both wept for days, and while Lukol was very good at being the backbone for their little family, he was not the heart. He could not be, for that was not his personality. He was staid, solid, dependable, but he did not have the zest and cheer of her father.
They stopped trying for children, for a few years, as Saruna desperately watched her mother fade away. It wasn't until she was nineteen that they started again, though she held no love for it. She thought that maybe if. . .maybe with grandchildren her mother would come back to her, and not leave her alone in the desolate landscape with a man she didn't really love.
But, a few months after her first babe was born, her mother passed.
The people of Shim were supportive. Lukol was supportive. Her baby kept her busy and sleepless, without much time for mourning. But she still worried, and fretted. What did she do without her parents? They had been by her side her whole life, even after she had married they had been an integral part of her household. Shim and Marn were no longer as welcoming as they had been. She wanted to leave, to go back to the familiar home in Eyropa, with its familiar people, who cared for her to some degree. Where she knew the rules, and where there were no foul surprises and dire rumors to cause trouble.
But her parents had wanted to live out the rest of their life in Shim. They had wanted her to flourish. So she stayed, with Lukol, and filled up the aching emptiness with more children. Even when they left, she stayed. Lukol liked it there, after all. And when he passed. . .
Derin had been a new reason. But with all the trouble, what else was she supposed to want to think? To do? She was tired of the sneaky whims and punishments of Marn. What had once seemed a paradise had rotted before her eyes, and the only way she avoided the rot was by turning into a miserable shadow who didn't do anything. Who wanted a life like that? Why would she chain herself there, with the bones of her parents and Lukol?
But she couldn't turn away from the question of her father's absence. How could she just leave him like he had died a normal death? How could she abandon his memory, without seeking answers and justice? She was not a vengeful woman, but the impotence sat in her stomach like a stone, wearing away at her insides and chafing her with guilt. Family was always the most important thing. She needed to know. Would she be able to face her family, and say that the son, brother, cousin, grandfather, uncle had one day been taken away in shame, and she never tried to find out if it was justifiable?
No, she couldn't. She couldn't leave her father like that. It would be a blight upon his memory.
She wiped her face on her shoulder, firmed her new resolve.
Then she tried not to imagine how much she was going to hurt the next morning.
It was almost a relief, in a way. She had made many decisions in the past few moons that had broken the pall of years over her. She had always been the passive one, even in disagreement with her husband. The fires of youth in her had been banked with her father's disappearance, and one by one the remaining embers had gone out. There had been a flicker of flame with Derin, but when she looked back at the gain she had thought she had made, she had to wonder: was it worth it? This time she couldn't stop the quiet tears that welled up in her eyes, and she turned her face away from both Kori and . . .Rosemary, knowing they would not be able to hear or see her quiet shame.
In her youth, she had known everyone. She had been bright, vivid, painfully naive. Life was an adventure designed to be lived through the bothersome guidance of nurses, matrons and the women of her family. The world was hers to live as she wanted, even despite the pinching bitterness that marked her family like ink. Despite the arguments and the sharp words, she had been happy. And when she had been married to Lukol, she hadn't exactly been displeased. She had been happy to have her own household. It was expected, the thing all proper young women had striven for, along with healthy sons and a tightly run home. And moving east had been an adventure. Despite the tight expressions, and the quiet weeping of her mother at night, it had been something to experience.
Shim hadn't been a prison at the start. It was a quaint, hard working little town. People were friendly, mostly, and the ones who weren't were the sort of cute grumps that could be softened with sweets and soft words. She had loved it for its humble size and quiet nature. It was such a sharp contrast that she couldn't help but find it exotic instead of boring. She had settled to it with a will and a zest, learning new things and working hard to be a good daughter and wife. And when she needed the thrill of crowds and strangers, she had but to go into Marn. She loved it. And she still got to see her trader grandparents, as the Modanichs would occasionally travel through with their caravans, and stop by to share strange and foreign goods with their daughter and her family.
Everything changed when Pagon, her father, was taken. He had been the heart of their family, filled with passion and verve. Saruna had never known another man like her father, who had always treated life as something to be cherished and experienced with careful attention. It was he who had given her her spark and desire to live. It was he who had them all excited at each new day to be assimilated into Shim, to turn the strange place into their home. To love it as if they had been born there.
The trouble with Marn's guards had been like an arrow to her heart. She and her mother both wept for days, and while Lukol was very good at being the backbone for their little family, he was not the heart. He could not be, for that was not his personality. He was staid, solid, dependable, but he did not have the zest and cheer of her father.
They stopped trying for children, for a few years, as Saruna desperately watched her mother fade away. It wasn't until she was nineteen that they started again, though she held no love for it. She thought that maybe if. . .maybe with grandchildren her mother would come back to her, and not leave her alone in the desolate landscape with a man she didn't really love.
But, a few months after her first babe was born, her mother passed.
The people of Shim were supportive. Lukol was supportive. Her baby kept her busy and sleepless, without much time for mourning. But she still worried, and fretted. What did she do without her parents? They had been by her side her whole life, even after she had married they had been an integral part of her household. Shim and Marn were no longer as welcoming as they had been. She wanted to leave, to go back to the familiar home in Eyropa, with its familiar people, who cared for her to some degree. Where she knew the rules, and where there were no foul surprises and dire rumors to cause trouble.
But her parents had wanted to live out the rest of their life in Shim. They had wanted her to flourish. So she stayed, with Lukol, and filled up the aching emptiness with more children. Even when they left, she stayed. Lukol liked it there, after all. And when he passed. . .
Derin had been a new reason. But with all the trouble, what else was she supposed to want to think? To do? She was tired of the sneaky whims and punishments of Marn. What had once seemed a paradise had rotted before her eyes, and the only way she avoided the rot was by turning into a miserable shadow who didn't do anything. Who wanted a life like that? Why would she chain herself there, with the bones of her parents and Lukol?
But she couldn't turn away from the question of her father's absence. How could she just leave him like he had died a normal death? How could she abandon his memory, without seeking answers and justice? She was not a vengeful woman, but the impotence sat in her stomach like a stone, wearing away at her insides and chafing her with guilt. Family was always the most important thing. She needed to know. Would she be able to face her family, and say that the son, brother, cousin, grandfather, uncle had one day been taken away in shame, and she never tried to find out if it was justifiable?
No, she couldn't. She couldn't leave her father like that. It would be a blight upon his memory.
She wiped her face on her shoulder, firmed her new resolve.
Then she tried not to imagine how much she was going to hurt the next morning.
Last edited by Saruna on Tue Nov 02, 2010 8:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Happily Ever After
"Why are you carrying me?" Derin asked. "He doesn't know I'm involved! I'm slowing both of you down and you're implicating me in the situation if he sees us like this!"
Had he seen her...? No matter, it could only be a glance. She should dash home, change, maybe cut her hair; but it was a hole, a hole a smart mage would see through instantly. For the plan to work she needed to appear at the courthouse and she had to look innocent.
Derin thought about that for a second, and reflected that it was probably just as well she was taking a trip to this docile little plane -- with strategy skills as poor as hers, surely she would have died on her own by now. She should've seen ten minutes ago that she herself was an unnecessary element in the situation. No, she had one singular errand to run -- the guard could play her part, the trusted guard of Marn.
As long as she hadn't done anything really really stupid, like attack her partner or reveal any dangerous secrets, they'd be fine. Then they were probably as good as dead.
"Put me down, sir. I can meet you in the marketplace in twenty minutes."
Had he seen her...? No matter, it could only be a glance. She should dash home, change, maybe cut her hair; but it was a hole, a hole a smart mage would see through instantly. For the plan to work she needed to appear at the courthouse and she had to look innocent.
Derin thought about that for a second, and reflected that it was probably just as well she was taking a trip to this docile little plane -- with strategy skills as poor as hers, surely she would have died on her own by now. She should've seen ten minutes ago that she herself was an unnecessary element in the situation. No, she had one singular errand to run -- the guard could play her part, the trusted guard of Marn.
As long as she hadn't done anything really really stupid, like attack her partner or reveal any dangerous secrets, they'd be fine. Then they were probably as good as dead.
"Put me down, sir. I can meet you in the marketplace in twenty minutes."
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KoriStronghammer
- Citizen
- Posts: 332
- Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:27 am
- Name: Kori Stronghammer
- Race: HumanNorthernman
Re: Happily Ever After
Kori kept running. Ditch Ditch Ditch.... There! Cutting close to the woodline, he jumped into the natural ditchlines between the city and the woods and ran up them. Coming around to the back of the village, he stopped and put them both down. Winking at the woman, he spoke.
"Or you know, I could put you both down here and we can all be safe for a moment, if they search the woods that is."
Digging in his pack, he pulled out a piece of jerky. Taking a small bite, he thoughtfully chewed staring at Saruna.
"You look like you are in a lot of pain madam, are you going to be alright?"
Turning to look at Rosemary, he spoke to her as well.
"Firstly, Hello. My name is Kori Stronghammer of Rising Bear Clan. And you happen to be? It is usually nice to know the name of the person who presumes to give orders to me. Also, to what you said. Your rear is not nice enough nor shapely enough for him to recognize you by it, and that is all that he would have seen. Lower your opinion of that right away. You have bossed me around since you have first spoken to me, and I will not stand for it one moment more.", turning, he spoke to Saruna again.
"If you are hurt Miss Rischett, I have a potion bottle with a healing potion in it that should help with aches and pains."
"Or you know, I could put you both down here and we can all be safe for a moment, if they search the woods that is."
Digging in his pack, he pulled out a piece of jerky. Taking a small bite, he thoughtfully chewed staring at Saruna.
"You look like you are in a lot of pain madam, are you going to be alright?"
Turning to look at Rosemary, he spoke to her as well.
"Firstly, Hello. My name is Kori Stronghammer of Rising Bear Clan. And you happen to be? It is usually nice to know the name of the person who presumes to give orders to me. Also, to what you said. Your rear is not nice enough nor shapely enough for him to recognize you by it, and that is all that he would have seen. Lower your opinion of that right away. You have bossed me around since you have first spoken to me, and I will not stand for it one moment more.", turning, he spoke to Saruna again.
"If you are hurt Miss Rischett, I have a potion bottle with a healing potion in it that should help with aches and pains."
Re: Happily Ever After
Fay was just catching up when she heard the man crash into the ditch. Fay knew that Melagone likely wouldn't be able to hear him but still... that man was not sneaky. Fay slid silently down into the ditch, her breathing even and silent.
"You look like you are in a lot of pain madam, are you going to be alright?" Fay noticed Saruna's pale and pained look and was instantly concerned, it had been a very taxing day on the older woman and Fay couldn't help but to wonder how she was handling it. She was about to ask when the tall one turned to Rosemary.
"Firstly, Hello. My name is Kori Stronghammer of Rising Bear Clan. And you happen to be? It is usually nice to know the name of the person who presumes to give orders to me. Also, to what you said. Your rear is not nice enough nor shapely enough for him to recognize you by it, and that is all that he would have seen. Lower your opinion of that right away. You have bossed me around since you have first spoken to me, and I will not stand for it one moment more.", turning, he spoke to Saruna again.
"If you are hurt Miss Rischett, I have a potion bottle with a healing potion in it that should help with aches and pains."
Fay smiled, bemused. Well he was kind at least, and very strong headed from what she's seen.
"Well it is nice to finally know your name, Kori. I am Fayane. You may relax, I have sent Mela into the woods so that is no longer safe." She turned to Saruna then Derin then Kori.
"If you've plans, it would be nice to know them. I'm willing to help in anything that is necessary." Fay volunteered, her icy eyes intent on both Rosemary and Kori as they seem to be the brains and brawn of the plan. Saruna, as logical and wizened as she was, couldn't do too much, as such Fay was reliant on the orders of the other two... not something she liked.
"You look like you are in a lot of pain madam, are you going to be alright?" Fay noticed Saruna's pale and pained look and was instantly concerned, it had been a very taxing day on the older woman and Fay couldn't help but to wonder how she was handling it. She was about to ask when the tall one turned to Rosemary.
"Firstly, Hello. My name is Kori Stronghammer of Rising Bear Clan. And you happen to be? It is usually nice to know the name of the person who presumes to give orders to me. Also, to what you said. Your rear is not nice enough nor shapely enough for him to recognize you by it, and that is all that he would have seen. Lower your opinion of that right away. You have bossed me around since you have first spoken to me, and I will not stand for it one moment more.", turning, he spoke to Saruna again.
"If you are hurt Miss Rischett, I have a potion bottle with a healing potion in it that should help with aches and pains."
Fay smiled, bemused. Well he was kind at least, and very strong headed from what she's seen.
"Well it is nice to finally know your name, Kori. I am Fayane. You may relax, I have sent Mela into the woods so that is no longer safe." She turned to Saruna then Derin then Kori.
"If you've plans, it would be nice to know them. I'm willing to help in anything that is necessary." Fay volunteered, her icy eyes intent on both Rosemary and Kori as they seem to be the brains and brawn of the plan. Saruna, as logical and wizened as she was, couldn't do too much, as such Fay was reliant on the orders of the other two... not something she liked.
Re: Happily Ever After
When faced with the man who had jogged with her slung over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes, Saruna was reduced to a bit of stuttering. She had not been manhandled in quite some time, and it was embarassing to be carried around like a child. But she was hurting, in more ways than one.
So she nodded after a few false starts, finding room for amazement at all the people she had met in such a short amount of time. Amazed that even after Gustel, people still wanted to help her. It wasn't easy being the one in the position of being helped. She'd always been stubborn, with pride, and had planned and set up her life to require no need for help from her distant families or Lukol's. They'd made their own life, without need for assistance. To find herself suddnely needing these people was humbling, and she was desperately grateful for the kindness they showed her.
But she remained silent, without saying it, suddenly shy in the wake of Kori's question to Rosemary, to this doppelganger who claimed to be Derin, or some part of her. She didn't want to look the fool in front of the girl, but desperately clung to the hope that she would turn out to be Derin, even if she didn't look like her.
And of the real Rosemary, Saruna placed no thoughts at all.
So she nodded after a few false starts, finding room for amazement at all the people she had met in such a short amount of time. Amazed that even after Gustel, people still wanted to help her. It wasn't easy being the one in the position of being helped. She'd always been stubborn, with pride, and had planned and set up her life to require no need for help from her distant families or Lukol's. They'd made their own life, without need for assistance. To find herself suddnely needing these people was humbling, and she was desperately grateful for the kindness they showed her.
But she remained silent, without saying it, suddenly shy in the wake of Kori's question to Rosemary, to this doppelganger who claimed to be Derin, or some part of her. She didn't want to look the fool in front of the girl, but desperately clung to the hope that she would turn out to be Derin, even if she didn't look like her.
And of the real Rosemary, Saruna placed no thoughts at all.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Happily Ever After
Derin blinked at Kori before things clicked -- he'd saved Derin, presumably having been filled in by Saruna as to who she was, but he didn't know Rosemary. She was going to have to stay on the ball if she wanted to keep such things secret. You're not Derin any more. Derin is dead. And it felt like hardly any time at all since she had been free to call herself by her real name, too, since her bracelet had been stolen from the rich woman she'd been forced to pose as. Pity. Fake names were always irritating.
"You, sir, may know me as Rosemary May, citizen of Shim, and I am here to help Saruna and, by extension, her helpers. Grateful as I am for your assistance, you understand why I'm reluctant to share any more than that with a practical stranger." She glanced at the guard. "We've been burned by spies before so I'm hoping that we can all trust each other to remain silent on incriminating details until we have the leisure to negotiate such things. Saruna, I owe you an explanation, but it must wait." She took a deep breath. "About a month ago a man who claimed to be a magical fugitive was harboured in Saruna's home. He turned out to be a spy. That, as I'm sure you are aware, is what this little escapade is about. Now, my original plan was to go in on behalf of Derin and explain that I was waylaid on the way to work, where she told me her story and made me promise to protect Saruna, but it is becoming clear that my presence in the courtroom would be a liability. For reasons I can't go into right now, it's a bad idea for me to get too close to the battlemage, but if i'm not there then distracting him from the courtroom becomes unnecessary. Therefore I propose that our story is thus: after you and the mage split up, madam, you captured Derin who told you her story before dying. You then found Saruna and escorted her to the courtroom for trial, where you will present Derin's testimony. There is no need to mention Rosemary at all; if Megalone asks then I was just some bothersome local who turned up at the wrong time and you didn't catch my name.
"Derin died after telling you her story because she was under a curse. This is why she and Saruna did not report the fugitive despite their loyalty to Marn; this is why they fought to avoid trial. Victims of a spell, fighting in self defense. Now, are you happy to go along with this ruse? Do you want me to tell you Derin's story?"
"You, sir, may know me as Rosemary May, citizen of Shim, and I am here to help Saruna and, by extension, her helpers. Grateful as I am for your assistance, you understand why I'm reluctant to share any more than that with a practical stranger." She glanced at the guard. "We've been burned by spies before so I'm hoping that we can all trust each other to remain silent on incriminating details until we have the leisure to negotiate such things. Saruna, I owe you an explanation, but it must wait." She took a deep breath. "About a month ago a man who claimed to be a magical fugitive was harboured in Saruna's home. He turned out to be a spy. That, as I'm sure you are aware, is what this little escapade is about. Now, my original plan was to go in on behalf of Derin and explain that I was waylaid on the way to work, where she told me her story and made me promise to protect Saruna, but it is becoming clear that my presence in the courtroom would be a liability. For reasons I can't go into right now, it's a bad idea for me to get too close to the battlemage, but if i'm not there then distracting him from the courtroom becomes unnecessary. Therefore I propose that our story is thus: after you and the mage split up, madam, you captured Derin who told you her story before dying. You then found Saruna and escorted her to the courtroom for trial, where you will present Derin's testimony. There is no need to mention Rosemary at all; if Megalone asks then I was just some bothersome local who turned up at the wrong time and you didn't catch my name.
"Derin died after telling you her story because she was under a curse. This is why she and Saruna did not report the fugitive despite their loyalty to Marn; this is why they fought to avoid trial. Victims of a spell, fighting in self defense. Now, are you happy to go along with this ruse? Do you want me to tell you Derin's story?"
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KoriStronghammer
- Citizen
- Posts: 332
- Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:27 am
- Name: Kori Stronghammer
- Race: HumanNorthernman
Re: Happily Ever After
Kori dug around in his pack momentarily, flopping down onto the ground, raising up a small cloud of dirt and leaves and other forest debris. Mumbling to himself, he began throwing things out of the pack. "That's a knife... the hell is that???... Oh, that used to be a pie... Let's see where in the hell did I put the fucking things.... AHHA! Tricky little bastards."
Pulling a small stone jar and a large spoon made of elk antler out, Kori poured a small amount into it. Handing it to Saruna he spoke. "I can see the pain in your eyes Old Mother, drink this. It will not harm you, it will help ease the aches and pains you have." Setting it towards her, he backed off a bit. The old woman was very frail, he was pretty worried he may have hurt her. Sitting back on his ass, he reached into his pack once again pulling his dagger out, he carved a piece of jerky and began chewing it.
"So, you have it all figured out, ay Miss Rosemary?" Moving like chain lightning, he threw the dagger, pinning her skirt to the forest floor. "Well, I think you're lying to me or tricking us all. I don't know how, or why, but I feel it. Call it animal instinct if you will. I don't trust dishonest men, and I'm not a sexist, so I refuse to distrust a dishonest woman either."
Chewing slowly, he reached into the bag and pulled out his skinning knife. "I don't have many of these knives left Miss. I'd hate to have to make them count. Miss Fay, would you like a piece of jerky? It's good Northern Elk."
Pulling a small stone jar and a large spoon made of elk antler out, Kori poured a small amount into it. Handing it to Saruna he spoke. "I can see the pain in your eyes Old Mother, drink this. It will not harm you, it will help ease the aches and pains you have." Setting it towards her, he backed off a bit. The old woman was very frail, he was pretty worried he may have hurt her. Sitting back on his ass, he reached into his pack once again pulling his dagger out, he carved a piece of jerky and began chewing it.
"So, you have it all figured out, ay Miss Rosemary?" Moving like chain lightning, he threw the dagger, pinning her skirt to the forest floor. "Well, I think you're lying to me or tricking us all. I don't know how, or why, but I feel it. Call it animal instinct if you will. I don't trust dishonest men, and I'm not a sexist, so I refuse to distrust a dishonest woman either."
Chewing slowly, he reached into the bag and pulled out his skinning knife. "I don't have many of these knives left Miss. I'd hate to have to make them count. Miss Fay, would you like a piece of jerky? It's good Northern Elk."
Re: Happily Ever After
Fay listened to Derin's plan, impressed but still not trusting of the other woman. Sure she had proven herself to Saruna on multiple occasions, but there must have been reasoning behind it... Fay shifted her ears to those of her fox form and listened absently for Melagone's steps, amused when she heard him a good couple miles away cursing to himself. A loud thud broke her concentration and had her staring at Kori who had just simply flopped onto his backside like an over sized bear and was now pawing through his bag. Fay couldn't help but to be heartily amused by this man.
He handed Saruna a spoon made of something with some healing potion in it and shuffled away, reminding Fay of a dog apologizing to it's master. Blue eyes looked apologetic and partially guilty with a slight pout to them. That was gone in a moment when he suddenly pinned Derin's skirts to the ground with a knife. Fay raised an eyebrow, this man had had training it seemed.
"Well, I think you're lying to me or tricking us all. I don't know how, or why, but I feel it. Call it animal instinct if you will. I don't trust dishonest men, and I'm not a sexist, so I refuse to distrust a dishonest woman either. I don't have many of these knives left Miss. I'd hate to have to make them count. Miss Fay, would you like a piece of jerky? It's good Northern Elk."
Fay couldn't help but to giggle quietly. He had gone from deadly serious to polite gentleman in less than a second. And now he sat there looking up almost happily at Fay, offering her a piece of jerky.
"I would like that, I thank you." She politely took the dried meat and breathed in its scent. Not detecting any poison Fay shifted her teeth discreetly and nibbled on the sweet meat. She decided she wanted no part in this Rosemary/Derin business, she already knew of the secrets that pertained to her, so she sought no other information. Her ears flicked, unnoticed, to the sound of Mela's feet, still a fair distance away, still cursing, though he was cursing her and her ancestors now. Fay smirked and turned back to the conversation, amused thoroughly. If this entertainment kept up she'd just join them for the show!
He handed Saruna a spoon made of something with some healing potion in it and shuffled away, reminding Fay of a dog apologizing to it's master. Blue eyes looked apologetic and partially guilty with a slight pout to them. That was gone in a moment when he suddenly pinned Derin's skirts to the ground with a knife. Fay raised an eyebrow, this man had had training it seemed.
"Well, I think you're lying to me or tricking us all. I don't know how, or why, but I feel it. Call it animal instinct if you will. I don't trust dishonest men, and I'm not a sexist, so I refuse to distrust a dishonest woman either. I don't have many of these knives left Miss. I'd hate to have to make them count. Miss Fay, would you like a piece of jerky? It's good Northern Elk."
Fay couldn't help but to giggle quietly. He had gone from deadly serious to polite gentleman in less than a second. And now he sat there looking up almost happily at Fay, offering her a piece of jerky.
"I would like that, I thank you." She politely took the dried meat and breathed in its scent. Not detecting any poison Fay shifted her teeth discreetly and nibbled on the sweet meat. She decided she wanted no part in this Rosemary/Derin business, she already knew of the secrets that pertained to her, so she sought no other information. Her ears flicked, unnoticed, to the sound of Mela's feet, still a fair distance away, still cursing, though he was cursing her and her ancestors now. Fay smirked and turned back to the conversation, amused thoroughly. If this entertainment kept up she'd just join them for the show!
Re: Happily Ever After
Saruna had taken the spoon with a grateful, if passive, nod. She was sipping it with a very blank face when Kori suddenly threw a knife. At Rosemary. Her Rosemary. Her reaction time was not the fastest in the world, but she did react. She coughed on the potion, and dropped the spoon, taking a few strides to stand in front of Rosemary, hands planted solidly on her hips.
"I'll not have any of that, young man!" She sputtered, demeanor gone frosty in the spate of the time it took her brain to process that Derin-Rosemary might be in danger from the wild looking man. "You'll not lay a hand on her! We all have our secrets, do we not? That's no reason to treat her like a -- like a criminal! I trust her."
She turned to face Rosemary.
"I may not be brave, but I will go along with your. . .plan."
Even if she too disappeared from the face of Pal Tahrenor.
"I'll not have any of that, young man!" She sputtered, demeanor gone frosty in the spate of the time it took her brain to process that Derin-Rosemary might be in danger from the wild looking man. "You'll not lay a hand on her! We all have our secrets, do we not? That's no reason to treat her like a -- like a criminal! I trust her."
She turned to face Rosemary.
"I may not be brave, but I will go along with your. . .plan."
Even if she too disappeared from the face of Pal Tahrenor.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Happily Ever After
Kori's behaviour was confusing. Was he... trying to intimidate her? With a knife? Seriously? No, no... it had to be for show, a token gesture. He couldn't possibly expect her to be frightened of him.
She blinked cooly at him and was about to respond before Saruna's outburst. Saruna having said everything, she merely nodded. "All right then. Fortunately, Kori, you do not play a major part in this scheme, so as long as you're willing to stay out of the way and not send these women to jail your trust is not required." She turned to Fayane. "Yours, however, is. Do you want tp hear Derin's story, the one she told you for the court in her last moments?"
She blinked cooly at him and was about to respond before Saruna's outburst. Saruna having said everything, she merely nodded. "All right then. Fortunately, Kori, you do not play a major part in this scheme, so as long as you're willing to stay out of the way and not send these women to jail your trust is not required." She turned to Fayane. "Yours, however, is. Do you want tp hear Derin's story, the one she told you for the court in her last moments?"