Turn 94 Hurricane
The wind storm grows increasingly violent, and people begin taking
cover. As suddenly as it began, the storm is ended. Standing
before you
is a female of obvious breeding, carrying an unsheathed long sword
glowing with a somewhat familiar bluish light.
"Hey! Who the hell is that? I wonder if she made the storm
stop. That
bluish light looks familiar, I bet she was sent to use by the
gods. Just
like that others, Where did you come from?"
Taking a few steps,
the
knight approaches the lady. "Greetings m'lady of the storm. Sir
Gareth
Arr, servant of Pikahl, and knight of King Arion of Dragonmeyr.
Might
I assume by the fading aura around thee that tho-you are here by
Pikahl's or one of the other gods' decrees to aid us in out
travels?"
He briefly smiles towards the new arrival, then turns back to the
others
"I still think there could be valuable clues in the kitchens, that
require my personal attention" he says.
"It's about bloody time!". Kay spends a few seconds squeezing out
her cloak.
"I think it's time we use the rooms Good Reynolds offered us to
dry off
abit."
Standing transfixed by the crowd, sword raised before her,
Catherine is
like a statue save that her brilliant jade eyes track across the
onlookers.
Slowly she sheaths her sword then straightens up, but keeps her
gloved hand
on the blade. "Um...hello? I am Catherine Simone Belle Winter, and
I
was...er, sent to find you." she curtsies and smiles.
Approaching, Catherine removes the calfskin glove of her
right hand and
extends it towards Gareth with obvious pleasure. "Yes, my lord, it
was
Callus who brought me here...though I must confess that I am not
sure where
'here' is. She said that thee need my help and beseached me to
take up thy
cause. . For the moment it can wait,
though,
but I promise thee and the gods that I will do my utmost to aid
thee in thy
quest. I come from a fair land called Heatherington Downs, my
father is
Baraon Rickard. Forgive me, I forget myself sometimes and my
manners,
please introduce me to your friends."
Arilyn stands next to the human female, whispering in her ear.
She
looks over to the new arrival and the glowing sword.
she then steps away and disappears down a hallway.
Standing at the group, trying to herd everyone away from the
buildings is
a gnome.
The look on his face portays confusion, embarassment and concern.
"I'm
Keldar. Look luv ta talk, but I'm the one who caused the storm,
all
accident of course, but I gotta lead it from the town before
thinks start
blowing down."
He then heads in a direction away from buildings, occasionally
waving the
otehrs to follow him, and watching what happens to the storm.
"M'lady, thou art within the demesne of Lord Reynold, the local
ruler. We stand some two, three weeks travel from Dragonmeyr
city,
though our mapper would givest thee a response of greater
accuracy."
The knight clapses Catherine's hand as he would a fellow warriors,
but
nods in acknoledgement of her social rank. "As a follower of
Callus"
the slightest hint of a sigh?" m'lady, thou shalt not beist alone,
for,
verily, two other members of this august assemblage follow her
teachings
to differing degrees. Azimuth also hath much sway within these
ranks,
with four or five of mine companions in his stead. Mine heart, as
might
be expected, beats in service to Pikahl. Thy word and pledge
carries
more in mine mind than thy manner of transport, though it also
serves to
commend thee. Mine companions shall, at their leisure, introduce
themselves and echo mine bid most welcoming." Realizing his
speech,
Gareth blinks suddenly and takes a deep breath. "My apologies,
lady. I
have found the tongue of the courts to cause more in the manner of
confusion here and do attempt to speak in a more common
vernacular; the
sound of your speech fair stole it from my lips, however. I had
best
beg off speaking much longer... several of my companions do think
I
speak too much as is. Be welcomed; if you have any questions, or
word
of King Arion, or thy-your travels and discussion with Callus, I
would
be much interested in hearing it after you have had time to
refresh
yourself from the journey. I would wager that you missed most of
the
bath with which nature most recently blessed us."
A tall man with lanky, unkempt brown hair and green eyes all
set in a
round face steps forward and introduces himself.
"Well met, M'lady! I am Jahl Silverlock, at your disposal."
Jahl is
mostly covered by a large forest green cloak that is held in place
by a
large, simple silver broachpin. Glimpses underneath the cloak
show that
Jahl is wearing dark leathers. His gloved hands sweep widely as
he bows
politely before you.
"We should probably get moving, besides the rain, wind and
sudden
appearance of people," Jahl motions towards Catherine. "We are
making a
scene and I'm sure that the peoples that live in this fine keep
will now
have enough to gossip about for a very, very long time."
Fidgeting, Jahl wrings out a portion of his cloak. "Perhaps we
can
continue this conversation in a more private place? To keep the
locals from
staring..."
"Dragonmeyr City, hmm? I see my journey before coming here
was a mere
pebble toss by an infant!" says Catherine, suddenly awed at the
distance
she has traveled. She flicks her cape to loose some errant water
droplets,
but is otherwise dry. "Can I buy ye an ale, nay, can I buy ye
_all_ one?
And perhaps ye can tell me more of which Callus spoke."
Kay grins at the others, "Er, I'll be right back." and heads off
after
Arilyn.
Several people of the
keep
are watching the party and making the sign of the cross as they
back
away quite obviously terrified.
"Ahh, good lady Catherine, you're a woman after my own heart. A
dry, warm
inn with cold ale will cure my ills. Once there, I'll share the
tale of how
my 2 gnome friend and I made our way to this group.....you see, we
too were
spirited away from our surroundings...but we knew why and by
whom."
The brightly-clad young man smiles tries in vain to brush some of
the water
from his clothes. "Your mother was a storyteller, eh? I'd love to
hear some
tales of her's. You see, I'm a studier of lore both ancient and
mystical.
And it's been my experience that most tales, no matter how
fantastic or
far-fetched, have some basis in fact."
At the same time that you notice Kay and Arilyn are missing, you
are approached by 6 guards
in full armor (weapons are peaceknotted) The apparent leader
speaks "Lord Reynolds has asked
that you remain in your rooms until the morn when you can depart.
You are disrupting the
keep with your devil magics and you are not welcome to do so.
Please follow us to your
chambers."
Gareth speaks simply but sternly in rebuke. "Gentlemen! Not only
are
you in the presence of ladies of station, around whom such speech
is
most uncouth, but you dare to slander my honour and service to
Pikahl in
saying that I consort with devils? You further compound your
dishonour
by revoking guest-right, guaranteed to any knight of King Arion's
service? Shame - for you should know better than behave so
basely. The
great storm that occurred was Callus' method of transporting this
lady
to join our quest, which you would have learned had you but asked
us
civily. You insult my companions and myself, yet, but that I am
told I
am too tolerant a man, I will allow thee chance to apologize and
with it
pretend you were not here and spoke not so insolently to three
devotees
of three different gods. Else, disrobe thyself of thy metal
vestments
and receive mine response to thy challenge against mine company,
Pikahl,
Callus, and Azimuth."
Catherine tries to wave off Gareth's protest in defense of
her. "That's
really not necessary and I do not wish to cause any more trouble
than I
already have. However, I must confess that I have no room to
return to, so
therein lies a quandry. I would happily do so if I had a room,
which I do
not and, well, here we are."
"Hey, um, no, don't do that..." (Thinks to her self: Is
this a guy
thing??) Then leaps in front of Gareth and places her palms on his
chest to
stop him. "I wasn't insulted, really. Don't do this, we have more
pressing
matters to deal with, let it pass...please?"
"Oh wretch!" Jahl mumbles quietly. "Our rooms are soon going
to be the
dungeon at this rate." Jahl sighs and props himself against a
convienient
wall to see what becomes of the guards.
"I'm sorry if you take offense sir" the guard speaks
diplomatically "But my
liege has ordered me to do my duty, and I am bound by service to
Lord and
King to do so. Now, if you'll all follow us to your chambers, you
can get
dry and warm, and get something to eat."
"Dry, warm and food is good. Letsgo!"
Keldar moves forward to follow the guards, and keeps looking
suspiciously
over his shoulder for the rainclouds.
Turning from Gareth Catherine turns her eyes on the guard.
"Forgive me,
sir, this incident was my fault. What Gareth says is true, that
the rains
are because of me and divine providence that brought me here. I
mean you
and yours no harm, nor any harm to
anyone within these walls. As you requested, I will go with you if
only to
avoid a confrontation. May I ask who is thy lord and master?"
A short, lean (and damp) man watches suspiciously as the storm
parts to
reveal Catherine. After the others have greeted her, he bows
slighly,
touching a fingertip to the orange kerchief wrapped around his
head, and
says, "Well met, m'lady. I am Caoimhin. Perhaps we shall have a
chance
to talk later; as you see, we have a bit of unanticipated
excitement."
He scowls at Gareth, then mutters, "Retiring to our quarters sound
good
to me. It's what *I've* been saying we should do all along." He
looks
for a wall to inobtrusively back up to as the exchange between
Gareth
and the guard continues.
At the guard's mention of food, Reggie looks up
"Now, you're talking, Lead the way my good man!" and with that
follows
Keldar to their rooms.
"Mi'Lord is Lord Reynolds M'Lady. Allow me to escort you." The
guard offers you his
arm.
"Well I could use some good food and an ale or two. We
should get more
acquainted with our new friends. I'm sure that we have many a
story to tell,
at least from the little that I've known Keldar and Reggie. (Small
smile) I
still would like to sleep outside under the stars, but if that
can't happen
on this day I will have to suffer."
As we all walk to our rooms, Barbaxle walks up to Gareth and says
"Wow. I've
never seen you get all fired up like that before. Are you feeling
ok?"
Taking the guards arm Catherine allows herself to be led
off, but gives a
calming geture to Gareth. "I'll be along in a little while," she
says to
the others.
The knight nods in affirmation. "Indeed, and apology accepted. I
had
no ill 'wards thee save the manner and tone in which it was
carried out.
Remember at all times that you act as an extention of your lord's
will
to serve the people; insulting travellers, especially ladies and
people
of station ill behooves one. I am gladened to hear that you
appreciate
thy error, and especially that you hold strongly thy vow of
service.
Well indeed. Lead on if you will, but take us by way of the
stables. I
wish to ensure that Emperor is not causing too great a disturbance
for
your groomsmen."
Gareth gestures is a friendly "It's behind us now" motion and
checks to
make sure that all the party (including those who went indoors)
follow.
Gareth claspes Barbaxle's shoulders. "Certainly, good Barbaxle.
The
man's speech was insulting and rude, however, and a measured
rebuke was
in order. He hath apologized to all, and the trangression should
be
forgiven." The knight's shoulders shrug softly. "Perhaps I was
a
little strong in my tone - such is often my way from too strong a
devotion. Faith can be expressed in manners that neither man nor
god
would first believe. And...in all honesty, I do feel a little
wearied
from a night of fasting and prayer after the battle and retreat
with the
bandits. I thought much and deeply last night... and still am
contemplative of such weighty issues."
Kay catches up with the others and notices who's leading the
group, "Oh
great, we leave you guys alone for a few moments, and already
you're managed
to get into some trouble..So what did you guys do, and they aren't
taking
you where I think they're taking you to?"
Turn 95