| Heartwood Logs |
2000-04-30
| Heartwood |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
At the Forest of Roth
The Road East -- Brementown To the west the rolling hills of the High Tarn begin to stretch out,
the barest shadows of the Dirkwood a green line upon the horizon. The
Forest of Roth is much closer, just to the east, its haunting canopy
watching over the trail. Near noon it is, Her golden face high in the sky,
when the thunder of hoofbeats echoes from behind the five travelers. A
look back and it seems a rider blazes over the fields, heading almost
parallel to the road and just about to cross it.The path between Cragside and Bordertown is lonely this
time of year. The farmers whose wagons usually travel this path are
either finishing their harvests or are already secured for the coming
storms. The skies each day are grayer as the cloud cover thickens. The
path is frozen and frost tinges the brown grass each morning.
The merchant trail winds its slow
way north, slipping through the highside fields. The path itself is
but hard-packed earth, where generations of wagons have traveled and
many men have walked. To the east, at the very edge of sight, lurks the
deathly Forest of Roth and to the west haunts the farthest extremes of
the fell Dirkwood Forest. North, of course, rises the tall ramparts
of the Black Mountains, while to the south the land opens up to lush
rolling hills. This is the very edge of the High Tarn, and farther south
and farther west lie Bordertown and the rest of the world...
Anuje quickly glances over. "Wonder why he's in such a hurry..."
Brisa is watching quietly and alertly, bow in hand, as Khari trots lightly to between the rider and her companions. "Wonder if it's a courier..."
Benedict glances behind them, slowing his horse awkwardly, for perhaps the hundred time this trip patting him on the neck, as much to reassure himself that the horse isn't going to throw him, as it is to be gentle to the animal. "He seems to be coming this way?" Brisa glances around warily, in case of ambush. She waits for the rider to pass... she won't interfere with anyone in this much of a tearing hurry!
clatter-clip-clop-clatter-clip-clop! and the rider doesn't even seem to notice the five as she screams past, crossing the trail perhaps five horse lengths behind the little group. Long, long jet-black hair streams out behind the rider, a young looking lass. She wars no livery, just a flapping cloak and layer tunics... she continues, bound for some unknown destination... unknown perhaps... Brisa raises an eyebrow, "Crowns for stars she's chased."
Anuje blinks and looks back again. "Where?"
Brisa says, "Don't know... but she certainly wasn't prepared for this hard a ride. Her hair wasn't braided and her tunics weren't tucked up. Her knees will be aching tonight, I'll guess."
Benedict frowns. "She's going into that forest over there... isn't that the Forest of Roth, I think?"
The rider isn't so much what catches Brisa's attention as she races by... as does her pale white horse. Tall and fine is its conformation, and of a breed Brisa has never seen before. Brisa looks very thoughtful, "It's her horse I'd like to see closer though... never seen that breed before..." She nods to Benedict, "Da, Benny. Let's move on, da?" She and Khari stay at the back of the party though, and she casts frequent looks over her shoulder as they ride.
A moment later Brisa blinks suddenly, "Pale horse! Did anyone see her ears?!"
Benedict blinks to Brisa, then nods quietly. "Well, let's- er? I'm afraid I didn't?"
Roxanna says, "Fairie horse, you're thinking?"
Anuje says, "I hardly got a chance to see the rider."
Brisa says, "Wonder if it was... da, Roxy, was wondering that very thing."
Roxanna shakes her head. "I don't think we're going to catch her if so."
Brisa says, "If a fair folk was, am thinking we should go very quietly on our way. But if was human..." She frowns worriedly, "How to tell...?"
Anuje says, "Can a Faerie horse capture a human?"
Roxanna says, "Some kinds, yes."
Brisa looks up suddenly, "Da, if she mounts it of her own free will. Quick, anyone see if human girl or no?"
Anuje shakes her head. "Too fast."
Roxanna says, "Bozhemoi..."
Benedict frowns slightly. Oh, no, not the fey again...! "I think she was human. Ah, need I remind that the last time we chased after something fey we nearly came close to being supper for several very large dire wolves?"
Roxanna says, "Da, but we're on our own turf this time." She starts to unpack her balalaika.
Brisa is tucking away her bow and gathering up her reins as she speaks, "Am thinking must at least try to see, comrades... if I not return, here -- share equally?" She swiftly unbuckles her saddlebags and tosses them to the nearest rider. Over her shoulder she yells, "Pray for me, da?" as Khari bolts off.
Anuje says, "Uhm...you've run into dire wolves... and lived?"
Roxanna says, "Fey wolves. I sang 'em to sleep."
Anuje blinks as Brisa tears off after the girl. "Does anyone else know how to ride?"
Benedict blinks. "Oh, hey... this isn't fair...! I'm going to regret this..." He swallows, nudges his horse in the right direction, and urges the horse to take off after Brisa.
Brisa flattens across Khari as they gallop... then she suddenly pats Khari's shoulder and grins with mischievous glee, "Now we see how Amber mare compare with silly fey, da, pretty lady? To edge of Roth, no further!"
Anuje glances at Roxanna. "Do you think we should at least ride in that direction?" Roxanna sighs and turns her horse to follow Brisa and the girl MUCH more slowly...just in case she's needed.
Turning their horses, Benedict and Brisa gallop off after the fleeing girl. Whoever she is she is traveling light and her horse's stride is long and fast. From here at least she seems human enough. No long fey ears to be seen. She doesn't turn though, just rides on and on, quickly approaching the fell tree line... Brisa puts two fingers to her mouth and whistles shrilly, to see if she can attract the girl's attention. Benedict concentrates more on staying on the horse and trying to keep up with Brisa than anything else.
Anuje's eyes widen and she points out something moving quickly past in the grass. "Some creatures are giving chase..." Following Anuje's direction, Roxanna can see them too. A pair of parallel ripples slicing through the tall brown grass, where a duo of very fast, long and low to the ground somethings are chasing the girl.
Roxanna follows Anuje's gesture and her eyes widen. "BRISA! 'Ware behind you! Something IS chasing the girl!"
Anuje bites her lip and kicks the horse to move, gripping tightly. "We've got to warn them!"
The girl turns her head once, quick, at the shrill whistle. Her eyes go wide seeing who chases her, and then they look beyond Brisa. No, she isn't looking where Anuje points, but to the hillock beyond Roxanna and Anuje, where a pair of riders crest. They too are hell bent on a fell wind, the gray horses a blur, their horse's long necks splashed with a cacophony of colors in no pattern whatsoever. Benedict misses the shouted call from Roxanna, lost under the thunder of the hooves and his horrible attempts at remaining on the galloping horse. He doesn't even try to look over his shoulder, only trying to keep up with Brisa. Anuje thinks if she can urge her horse to catch the creatures, she might be able to trample them. It's a long shot though, and she holds tighter the closer she gets to them.
Brisa glances over her shoulder also, seeing far too many folks behind her... she blinks! what in the name of all Krysta's cold hells is Benny doing following?! she wonders -- then yells, "Benny! Pull off! Go back to the road!" She blinks again, aghast as she realizes her party's scattering out and pursued... she has responsibilities before the girl -- she slows and angles to shoulder-bump Benny's horse, urging him back towards the road as she pulls her bow, glancing worriedly at the riders... hopefully they want the girl more than to hurt anyone here...
Benedict can barely hear Brisa, wincing at the galloping of his horse. He does however manage to blurt out, "Not... where the fey... are concerned! Remember... remember what happened last time we tangled with them! Not going to let anyone do it alone...!
Brisa shakes her head exasperatedly and shouts at him over the thunder of the horses, "To the road, Benedict!"
Anuje takes off, pushing her horse hard, heading after one of the strange creatures. As far as Brisa can tell she is just another of her companions now heading for the Rothian forest. This leaves Roxanne and Trystan alone on the road as the two strange hunters thunder down upon the path. The girl however continues forward almost to the very edge of the trees, her path still straight. Then it is all Anuje can do to hold on, as her horse suddenly rears, its whuffle a terrified scream, its hooves high in the air. And when it lands it starts backing towards the road again, refusing to go forward. Anuje holds tightly to the horse's neck, shaken by what she's seen and by almost being thrown to her death. The two riders slam down the hill, not caring for Anuje, Roxanna, or Trystan. Benedict winces as Khari starts nudging him and his horse to the road. "Blast it, Brisa, what about the rider? She's getting away! And if we're going to deal with the fey again, we can't do it alone, we've already seen that!"
Brisa growls, "Was not alone -- am with Khari! Get you to road, then will I see what can do -- go, quick please!" Brisa is still throwing frequent worried glances over her shoulder, but will continue to urge Benny's horse to the road until Benedict starts doing so himself. Benedict grits his teeth, but says nothing. He brings the horse to a slow as best as he can, since that's the only way Brisa'll let anyone help the girl.
Anuje will take a moment to yell out if she can get enough control of her mount. "Brisa! Dragons!"
Brisa looks relieved once she's sure Benedict's got his horse under control again -- then blanches, leaning over to smack Benny's horse's rump hard, "To road, please, Benny! Not between girl and predators!" Benedict at that moment notices the commotion behind them. He turns, still fuming silently, then blinks at the movement... then hears Anuje's call... and sees the sleek trails in the grass. His eyes widen. They might not be dragons but they'll probably be close enough! He looks at Brisa briefly, then urges his horse to dash for the road again, trusting again that Brisa'll do the right thing.
Roxanna shouts again, and waves at Brisa. "EASTERNERS!" Brisa looks unsurprised at that last yell, oddly enough... Anuje is struggling to calm her horse enough to direct it back over to Roxanna and Trystan.
Trystan walks his horse in a tight circle as Anuje approaches. He murmurs softly, leaning in his saddle toward Roxanna, "What do you think it is..."
Roxanna watches the Easterners nervously. "Not sure."
Anuje speaks calmly to her mount. "That's a girl... don't worry... I won't let the hordes of gnashing dragons and sword-swinging, bloodthirsty easterners harm you." Anuje hardly seems calm herself, but is certain it's the only way to talk to a frightened horse. Trystan chuckles softly, smiling at Anuje and her mount, then scratches lightly at his upper lip, watching intently.
Brisa runs through the checklist in her head, taking maybe a fraction of a second -- girl has black hair, not an easterner, good. Eastern hunting beast (she currently still sees only one) close and reputed to be disgustingly intelligent and fierce, very bad. Eastern riders not dressed like mages and no bows, good. Unfortunately almost all of her party are in the way of the hunt though -- VERY bad! Ergo, get party to safety first -- then see if there's anything she can do. She mutters under her breath, "You watching, bright sisters? Could use any advice you have right now..." as she nocks an arrow and watches alertly for even a hint of hostility towards her companions.
Trystan shifts in his saddle, the light creak of it outlining the silence of his breath. He subtly maneuvers his mount close by Roxanna but between her and the riders. Brisa has Khari turned so they both can watch the hunting beast's grass-shivering trail streak by Anuje's horse -- a heartbeat past -- and Brisa swings her bow up and fires off at the onrushing Eastern riders. The two easterners gallop hard across the ragged path and as they do Trystan can see the afternoon sun shine across their elaborately carved blades. They pay no attention to the two minstrels, still bound for their fleeing prey. Trystan steadies his horse with sung words more felt than heard as the riders thunder past. The girl doesn't stop, she doesn't at all as she vanished into the forest, her passage suddenly loud as she hits the brambles. Anuje backs away, holding on to her horse for dear life as Brisa draws back her deadly bow and lets loose an arrow.
The first arrow flies wide, vanishing into the hills.
The second arrow catches its target square in the chest, lifting the easterner back. The rider twists, caught, balance lost, and he falls from the saddle. Unfortunately he doesn't fall loose, one booted foot still caught in the stirrup. This one is dragged. Also unfortunately, this changes the direction of the second rider. His sword drawn back, his form close to the outstretched neck of his horse, he charges Brisa and Khari.
Trystan, seeing the change in direction whispers softly, "Oh no..." Brisa looks, oddly, relieved that the rider is focused on her... not on any of her unarmed companions. She nocks her bow calmly and swings it up again, with Khari standing calm and alert under her... the Easterner charges and Brisa can see the glare in her eyes and the unholy splash of sunlight off her carven blade. But that glare soon turns to surprise as Khari nimbly steps to the side -- a perfect, smooth motion, like a pace in some high court pavane. The Easterner's blade catches only air as Brisa draws her bow, quickly loosing two deadly missiles.
From the woods, just beyond the woods, there comes a low rattling roar as a stiff breeze ripples through the branches, shaking the trees for but a single heartbeat.
The second arrow flies high, missing its target -- missing because the rider and horse were no longer where they were supposed to be. Brisa's first arrow had buried itself deep in the easterner's horse's hindquarters, tumbling the horse in a very deadly scramble of flesh, fur, bones, and armor. The crunching sound was sickening, leaving a furrow through the grass. Both rider and mount lay still. Too still. Brisa winces, lowering her bow, and murmurs softly, "Forgive me, Lady... did not mean to harm an innocent..." She glances up at the forest, then behind her at Trystan, Anuje, and Roxanna -- everyone's in one piece, good -- Benny? he's off to her right, unharmed, good. Monsters -- she looks around, knocking her bow again, "Anyone see dragon?"
Anuje sags against her horse's neck for a moment before she hears the terrible rolling crunch of the fallen easterner. Glancing at Brisa for a moment before hearing the words, she quickly starts looking around. Taking a moment or two to get a good look, it seems both of the beasts' trails have vanished into the woods. Trystan scans the field for the things he saw running through it, the hunting 'beasts'... Roxanna nudges her horse and trots toward Brisa while looking around for the first Easterner. Off to the south near the tree line the first easterner's horse finally stops galloping, but doesn't stop moving. It seems to be trying to escape its rider, who still trails lifelessly behind it. Trystan can definitely see where the beasts entered the woods, not far from where Brisa now stands. The beasts themselves are nowhere to be seen.
Brisa says, "No drag- huh, two trails! Did not see. Still, no dragons... good. Everyone all right, da?" She unnocks her bow and tucks it away, then swings off Khari. She draws her sword and approaches the downed Easterner warily, to check if it's dead or not.
Anuje stays on her mount, using the extra height to keep an eye out for movement in the grass or evidence of the girl coming back out of the forest. "Do you think she made it?" Trystan looks briefly to Roxanna and Anuje, motioning with a questioning tilt of his head toward Brisa.
Brisa says, "We try to find out in moment, kisa, as soon as sure we are that no enemy we leave behind us at our backs." Anuje nudges her horse closer to Brisa and Khari.
The easterner and its mount don't seem to care for Brisa's examination... nor for anything else in the whole of the Heartwood. The easterner, she is dead. Her horse too, in a tangle of broken bones and snapped necks. Brisa sighs, sheathing her sword, and gently strokes her fingers across the woman's face to close her eyes, "May Herself have mercy on you." She turns to the horse and a look of real pain crosses her face. She crouches next to it and gently runs a hand down its neck, "I'm sorry..."
Roxanna says, "Something odd happened just after the girl hit the forest edge. I don't know if she'll be coming back out."
Trystan shouts as he draws bouncily near, "What was it?"
Roxanna says, "The trees rattled like they'd been hit by a strong gust of wind. Only... there wasn't any wind."
Brisa looks up, her expression bleak... she nods to Roxanna, "Am thinking the forests do not care for the East... am hoping they can distinguish between terrified girl and hunting beasts." She looks over at Trystan, "Do you know how to track, Trys? Do you think we might follow? She can't have gotten far even if the forest wasn't angry... no one gallops a horse through a forest unscathed."
Trystan looks with obvious admiration toward our most observant companion. "...what do you think it was?" He takes a deep breath, holding it slightly before letting it out in a light whisper, "I've had... some experience..."
Roxanna says, "Oh?"
Brisa tilts her head and smiles quietly at Trystan, "Am asking your advice, gospodin... follow or no?"
Breaking from his ever so slight lapse into the land of memory, Trystan looks up toward his group's obvious leader, "Shall we?" He offers, rubbing the soft stubble shading his chin, "I'm not sure how good I'll be from horseback... being not the best of riders, but I'll give it a go..."
Brisa quietly goes through the rider's goods, trying for some clue as to who she was or why she rode so fiercely... she grins up at Trystan, "So we leave the horses out here, silly, nyeh? Khari will keep them all safe for us. And that way also the other horse will come over here too and we can untack it and free it from dragging rider."
Trystan murmurs to no one in particular, "...might be quicker if I try it from the ground, having someone else lead the horse... the horse... nice animal, have to get to know horses better... and can't keep calling her... her? him? Hmmm... never bothered to check... have to think of a name for... 'horse' sometime... hmmm..." Anuje swings down from her mount and takes a moment to regain her ground legs. Trystan shakes his head, hearing Brisa's words, "That sounds good... She'll do that? You must have some... bond with her."
Brisa absently murmurs without looking up, "Yours is gelding, Trys..." She does look up at Trystan's next comment though, and grins, "'Some bond'? Oh yes... a decade of training together! She's a war mare."
Trystan lands softly on the ground next to his horse, giving a quick peek 'under the hood,' as it were. "Oh, a boy. That's nice... Never could think of boy names..."
Anuje laughs. "Not all 'boy,' Trys."
Trystan mulls that thought over, "That has to be interesting... working for so long with an animal like that... must be interesting indeed.
Brisa grins amiably at Trystan, "She's my partner, not just an animal any more, Trys." She glances over curiously at Roxanna, "My information must be bad... I thought the East treated women even worse than here?" Trystan leaves off his reverie to check his belongings, stretching to limber the riding out of his limbs. Anuje uses the cover of her steed to loosen her girdle, tired of its constrictive presence. She emerges around the front of the beast, stroking its head. She fills out her tunic a bit more now.
Roxanna blinks. "No idea, really."
Trystan smiles back at Brisa, "I'd love to hear more about your working together," flashing a beam of a smile, "-when we're not being attacked or chased, or chasing or attacking. You know, that sort of stuff always seems to get in the way of really listening."
Brisa laughs! then grins at Trystan, "Sure... maybe later." Trystan smiles back, eyes sparkling brightly.
Roxanna says, "Heh. Khari is people, just a four-legged one." Trystan opens his mouth to say something, then shuts it in a smile... never mind.
Trystan sets off leading the little band, his eyes darting, following this sign and that. It isn't too hard really, and after a short while he begins to relax his focus. Certainly he doesn't want to get his companions or himself lost, to be sure, but he is at home in a forest, even... even perhaps one of the eastern lands. The girl's trail isn't that hard to follow, at least not for Trystan. He very neatly guides the small group beneath the trees, his pace sure and accustomed to the rough underbrush. It is not long before they find the girl. She stands in the underbrush, carefully working to free a hoof from a tangle of branches and debris. Her back is turned but as the others approach she quickly scrambles -- scrambles so her tall horse is between her and the others. Sapphire bright eyes just peek over the top of her saddle.
Brisa says, "Hey, girl... just us. Riders aren't following any more."
The girl looks back, still mostly hidden behind her very still steed. Her brow furrows, her bangs dancing long and loose. "Not hurt Romanas? Promises?"
Brisa says, "Both riders dead, girl. What's your name?" Her voice is calm and non-accusing, "You are Romany?"
Trystan purrs softly, radiating calm and caring through his almost musical voice, "We promise." Brisa moves forward quietly, no weapons in her hands, and gently starts helping free the horse's hoof... although she is alert to a possible snap from the horse's teeth!
Anuje shivers and says quietly, "Let's not spend any time in here..."
Roxanna says, "Indeed. There's something creepy about this place."
The girl smiles, her eyes suddenly brighter. "Romanys?" She considers, looking at each of them. She reaches up and taps her head. "Romana."
Trystan smiles a broad, warm smile, placing the flat of his hand against his chest, "Trystan."
Brisa straightens and gives the girl a puzzled glance, "Um... your name is Romana, or you are Romany?" She looks around warily, "Trys... did you notice where the dragons' trails went to?"
Trystan was busy being charming... not wanting to let his shift of focus startle the girl, he scans the forest around him... Anuje pulls her tunic tighter and looks around. "Hurry..."
Leaning down, Brisa can see that the hoof has become wedged... between the spokes of a shattered wagon wheel. Romana looks down, suddenly leaning, intrigued by Brisa's actions. "Danby... Dunny... Dancer's hoof bit by wood, yes?"
Brisa breathes softly, "A... wagon..." She looks around with real concern now, then nods, "We are still in danger here, tovarish. Please, be wary, watch careful, and I try to break horse free." She'll study the wagon wheel spokes, trying to figure where she's most likely to be able to shatter one to free the horse. Anuje moves closer to look at the wheel.
Roxanna nods. "You saw it too, then, Brisa?" She waves vaguely at the surroundings. "Wagons, bones, old weapons... the forest has grown on lots of dead things."
Brisa nods, still studying the wagon intently, "Da... don't want us to be part of forest floor. Keep eyes out for dragons, please... sooner we out the better, am thinking..."
Trystan keeps his voice clean and level, "...they came in here... but I can't see where they went from..." with a little self-malice he adds, "-they just seem to have vanished." He continues to scan around them... letting his senses reach out.
Brisa casually murmurs as she keeps studying the wheel, "What's your horse's name, Romana? Where're you from?" As Brisa looks around, the broken terrain takes on an ominous, still, and haunted quality. The small copse that they are in is set with the devastated history of a lost caravan, its wagons drawn up tight. But now they are but shattered shells, faded cloth, worn banners, a forgotten piece of the past.
The girl nods. "Yes. Leave soon. Almost bad as Heartwood is, here. Stupid forest, put wheels where Dancers step." Brisa gives the girl a worried look... then starts working at the wagon wheel... there's something really... odd about this girl...
Anuje looks up into the trees. "You think they can climb...?"
Roxanna says, "I think the forest ate them. And I think we should get out of here before it's hungry again."
Trystan whispers under a false-ish smile to Roxanna, "...probably shouldn't say such things around... around the girl... might give her nightmares... or... something."
Brisa's sharp eyes pick out one of the broken shells of a wagon, and after a moment is caught as she realizes that form slumping in the underbrush is a body, a soldier perhaps. But more than that. On his skeletal form there is a faded surcoat, of which only scraps remain. However its pattern is clear. It once had a black field with two stripes upon it, with a lighter colored bar atop. Brisa blinks, going still and staring... she whispers softly, "Dawnview?...but... if it will eat Her people..." She shudders suddenly, then is galvanized back into action -- she looks around, then hastily picks up a branch and tries quickly to use it as a lever against the spokes.
Trystan says, "What is it, Brisa?"
Anuje starts, breath catching as she almost cries out. She's staring up into the trees. Brisa whirls at Anuje's soft sound of startlement, her right hand going for her sword in nervous reflex! Roxanna follows Anuje's stare, then gives Trystan a very bleak grin. "Making up horrid stories, am I?"
Trystan says, "Anuje?" He looks at her, then follows her gaze, "What?"
Anuje says, "One of the dragons... looks like the forest tossed it up there..." Up in the top of the trees, there all alone, broken and twisted, is a strange beast. Definitely dead. Like a low and sleek lizard it be, all speckled with brown and green scales. It has eight legs and a long, dragonish snout filled with razor-sharp teeth.
Trystan shifts uneasily, "...yeah... and all... for the attention... of a little girl... always the show-ma... show-woman, aren't you, hunh?" He follows with a bit of a nervous laugh.
Roxanna says, "We do nothing for the show of it, Trystan. We should get out of here as soon as we can. "
Brisa sighs in relative relief at the dead creature -- then blinks again, "Dawnview! Good goddess, could this be... we're still near Highgaard... I've got to see if this is where Brittany Allaine and her fiancée died!" She looks torn -- then turns to Trystan, "Here, could you please keep working on the wagon spokes?" She offers him the branch she'd been using.
Trystan minces, "...we don't want to scare the little girl with stories that'll give her nightmares now do we, dama Roxanna?
Anuje nods quickly and reaches for Brisa's arm. "Is the knowing of it worth yours and maybe our lives?"
Brisa looks at Anuje quietly... then nods slowly, "Mine, yes, Anuje... not yours."
Trystan scrambles to help Brisa with the spokes, softly guiding himself to the horse, "It's all right... we'll have you out of there in a jiffy." Roxanna drifts over as well, trying to calm the horse while the stronger folks free her.
Brisa smiles at Anuje, "I'll be just a moment, really... can you help Trys, please?" She's already swiftly (and a little desperately) searching visually for the most elaborate or largest of the shattered wagons.
Trystan works patiently with the wagon wheel, calmly soothing the horse as he tries to unthread its hoof from the spokes. With the use of the branch and a stronger back than the girl's, the horse's hoof is easily freed. The soft white mare paces twice, whuffling. The girl, she almost bounces, and then gathers herself. "Dancers free! Fine it is." She looks around, her eyes sharp, as if listening very intently. "As long as nights far, far aways..." she whispers.
Brisa mutters grimly, "We are out of here by night..." she scrambles quickly about through the shattered wagon train.
Trystan looks up... "What happens at night? Is there anyplace we can take you to? Can we help you get to..." he leaves the question open-ended.
Anuje whispers, "Come on... let's get going... there might be still another dragon... and something killed that one up there."
Trystan keeps his focus on the girl, "Would you like us to help you get to wherever you're going? We could make sure no one tries to hurt you... do you know... why they were chasing you?" He stands, dusting off his hands on his tunic.
It takes a moment of scrabbling before Brisa finds the carriage. It's obvious, pushing through the ruins, that here the harshest part of the conflict was held. The bones are smashed, and broken armor and weaponry rusts the underbrush. Indeed there is a body with what must have been expensive finery upon it... but also wears a rotted scabbard. Even the remnants of a Tall Highgaard banner is here to be found. But strangely no sign at all of the remains of a fine lady. Brisa searches for a ring, a necklace, some identification for the poor parents. She checks -- is the scabbard distinctive, perhaps? That and the banner might suffice? She also searches for some sign of the identity of the attackers.
Romana looks back, and then looks towards the mountains. "Where Romanas go? Away. Far away. Take Romanas with you far away perhaps? Good companion Romanas are. And Romanas know of course, Romanas smarts, otherwise Romanas not run so fasts."
Near the body of the fine gentleman Brisa uncovers a simple ring. Bands of black, blue, and green race around it, with a horse's head of gold carved within. Her second discovery takes a bit longer to find, for what happened here must have been a one-sided massacre. Few bodies were left bearing the attackers' tabard, and those hard to discern... until beneath a forgotten tree Brisa finds a tabard made from many shades of gray.
Roxanna says, "Curious colors. Can we leave now, Brisa?"
Brisa collects the ring with quiet sadness... but her eyes widen, then narrow in anger at the gray tabard, and she whispers something tightly vicious under her breath as she collects it. She returns swiftly, stalking coldly back, "Da, we go now. Old debts must be paid."
Roxanna nods and follows her friend. "Who?"
Brisa snarls coldly, "Montague..." Anuje blinks.
The girl nods back to Trystan. "Nights His time."
Trystan has picked a path he feels will be safe to lead them out. Turning with genuine interest to the girl, "Whose time?"
Romana looks back and just gives Trystan a sudden sharp look. "He who is Not To Be Named."
Anuje walks quietly behind the rest, glancing around warily. Brisa has utterly shed her usual easy-going demeanor... her movements are crisp and precise, and there's a nasty glint in her eye as she says quietly, "Trystan... later. Out of the forest first, please."
Trystan looks curious, leading them out, "...his parents didn't like him?" Brisa is too angry to even look exasperated.
Trystan steps softly, picking an easy path for them -- well, as easy as can be. Taking up the reins of her horse, the girl nods brightly, "Go nows? Farther away? To place south perhaps?" Quickly, quickly the little troupe picks their way out of the woods until at last they stand again with their horses. Here they can get their first look at this new stranger. Young she certainly is, older than Anuje but not by much perhaps. And the trail does not seem to suit her. Bangles of all sorts bedeck her, from loops of silver on her arms to an opal pendant and bright amber earrings. Her black hair falls in long waves over her slender figure, her soft skin almost pale in the afternoon light. Her step is light, and her tunics are bright white and blue.
Brisa seems to break out somewhat from her inner fury as she studies the girl in silent puzzlement... finally she says, "Where are you from, Romana? How did you come to ride an Eastern horse, and be hunted by Easterners and their hunting beasts?"
Trystan reaches to pat the soft muzzle of his own horse, "Where shall we go then? You want us to go with you, protect you 'til you're where you'll be safe? How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"
Leaning on her horse the girl takes a breath. She looks towards the mountains and waves one hand, quiet. "From thataways, yes? They chase, because Romanas ran aways. When Romanas run aways, Father gets very angry. Puts many many crowns on Romanas pretty head." She smiles and her next words are matched with a strange action. She holds her hand flat, thumb up, and makes a waving motion. "Romanas big fish."
Trystan hums softly, "...careful the things you wish... wishes are children. Careful the things you dream, wishes come true... not free."
Brisa studies Romanas quietly for a long moment... then says gently, "Who is your father, Romanas? Will he be sending more hunters? How did you cross so much terrain from the East -- and yet remain so... so un-travel-worn?" She studies Romanas carefully... pale skin but black hair... she'd always heard Easterners were white haired and had pointed ears. She tilts her head, gazing at Romanas' ears.
Frowning, the girl crosses her arms and definitely pouts. "Not founds until mornings. Romanas got... what is word... spotted? slotted? Sloppish?"
Brisa murmurs gently and absently, "Spotted... who were your parents, Romanas?" She steps forward, reaching to gently brush Romanas' hair back from the side of her face and behind her ear.
Roxanna says, "Hmm. Sloppy means that you messed up and they saw you. Spotted means they saw you."
Trystan listens quietly, watching the women talk with the girl. Romana frowns quietly, "Sloppy. That what happened..." She then pauses, listening to Brisa's questions. Slowly, almost imperceptibly she moves. Her hand is wrapped in her reins and her tall horse is between Brisa and herself. "Romanas never knew Mothers. Father... Father, father rich and wealthy..."
Brisa takes the reins just below the horse's bit as she steps around the horse, following Romanas. She isn't smiling but she's not angry looking either, just speaking quietly and calmly, "Romana... if we were going to hurt you we'd have done so already. Tell me, please... have you seen any pictures of your mother? Do you know what someone from Amber looks like? Did she look like that?"
Romana's eyes go wide and her free hand rises to clasp her opal pendant at the same time that Brisa snares Dancer's reins. She takes a half step away, and as she does her horse's ears flicker. "Maybe not... yets. Romanas did nothing to sharpsworded starbredkillers... never harms, remembers, remembers, please?" Her words are almost panicked. But then she shakes her head. "Mother not Ambers, no, Mothers a princess..."
Brisa's eyes widen, "You know us?!" She looks astonished for a moment -- then takes a breath, calming herself. A moment later she says again, "Romana... I'm sorry, I don't mean to scare you. Will you come sit and talk with us for a moment, please?"
Trystan gently strokes the neck of his horse, "...please?"
Looking down, Romana shakes her head. "Of course know starbredkillers. If bad, starbredkillers come, steal little girl Romanas away to feed to the sky." She then looks up, looking across at both of them. "Not hurt Romanas? Promises. Not even if worst?"
Trystan nods solemnly, "We promise. We'd never hurt a little girl, ever."
Brisa blinks incredulously at Romana as she speaks -- then suddenly tosses her head back, laughing! "Oh my... oh goddess, that's rich! Romana, I'm sorry if I scared you... but is that true? In the East, are we the scary stories told to children, just as Easterners are the scary stories told to children here?!"
The girl just gives Brisa a dark, dark look. But it is a simple and honest look. "Stories old from truth come. Romanas know. Romanas not run because Fathers nice fat merchanter."
Brisa grins cheerfully at Romana, her usual good humor restored, "Well who'd have thought it... so Easterners are people too." She shakes her head amusedly, "All right then... let's get you up on Dancer, so you're not as frightened about being pounced on, da?" She steps to Dancer's side and interlocks her fingers so she can give Romana a boost, "Come... mount up, and if you don't want to talk you don't have to stay, da? and if you stay, we trade stories? Fair enough?"
Slowly and still a tad suspiciously Romana climbs atop Dancer. Now Brisa can see, her long tunics are slit and quartered high, but they are slashed as if done hastily with a very sharp dagger. A too-small set of saddlebags and gear hands from her saddle. She does, however, seem very comfortable on this horse. "Romanas just want to be Romanas, yes? That not too much for Romanas to ask?"
Brisa smiles up at Romanas, patting Dancer's shoulder, "Not too much, no. The question is if one can do that successfully though, da? Give me a moment... must do a little cleaning up here." She gets a small handful of oats from her saddlebag, then slowly and calmly walks near the remaining Easterner horse, until she can catch up its reins. The eastern horse literally calms as Brisa approaches. In fact it's almost as if she didn't need the grain. It's an easy matter then for her to free it of its grisly cargo. On the two bounty hunters there was nothing special save for a purse containing some very odd coins. Brisa loops the reins over her arm and leads the horse back, checking over the coins... these are rightfully Romana's, but Brisa suspects the coinage will identify her easily... daggers and wolves seem to be their theme... Brisa shakes her head amusedly, then hands the small purse up to Romana, "These are yours, girl, I think... but I'd be careful about spending them here, da? They'll identify you right quick-like." She tilts her head, regarding the horse curiously, "What was your mother's name then? And what's your father's name? And why do you run from him repeatedly? Is the life he wishes for you so terrible?" She's running her hands quietly over the horse, examining the new breed as well as giving Romana a chance to realize she's not going to be attacked or hurt.
Romana just crosses her arms. "Romanashah'kathrheenska al'Lhrohronsha al'khirishhchee Kh'lhry'ra I am. Romana who is Kathrheenska's whose father is Lord al'Lhrohronsha of Kh'lhy'ra of the Thousand Colored Towers. And Romanas are Romanas are Romanas! Not little tidbit snack to be married to Friend."
Brisa grins over her shoulder at Romana, "I see! So... does Romana have a weapon with which to defend herself? Is Dancer battle trained? Does Romana have a plan on where she'd like to go next?" She straightens slowly as something registers... then turns and gazes curiously at Romana, "So... your mother is Easterner... too? -er, excuse me, was?" She blinks at another startling thought, "Who... who was the Friend you were to be married to?"
Romana smiles then, honest. "Romana go as far away from Father as can. And Romana have..." She stops herself, glancing sideways. "Dancer is smart but not a lhoshad. Fast she is, Romanas like fast. But Romanas go..." She stops then, and Brisa can just tell the girl picked up her subtle change of stance. She looks back. "...princess of Triah'am, Mothers was." Her words are skittish and her own seat shifts. Dancer's ears tilt back towards her mistress.
Brisa studies Romana curiously, slowly mouthing the word, "...lhoshad... war horse?" She smiles slowly... girl's quick. She waits, leaning back casually against the calm horse, waiting for Romana to settle again.
Quietly Romana just gives Brisa a long, long slow look. Then she swallows and speaks. "Friends... friends from elsewhere comes. Stronger friends, more powerful one is, yes? Father wishes most powerful be. So has Romanas, make sure Romanas grow up all alone... to marry to big, powerful dark Friend. If Romana says no, Friend eats Romana. Father still powerful, though not so. Romanas not like thought of being eaten by black-Friend."
Brisa looks startled, then suddenly worried, "Er... more... powerful?" Black, black... what's big and black, more powerful than Eastern princes, and eats folks? Brisa wonders worriedly.
Romana nods slowly. "More powerful Friends, more powerful are... prove power by making Friends stay even if Friends want to play."
Brisa looks blank, "What? Run that by me again please?" She works through the sentence slowly and laboriously, "So... the more powerful Friends your father has, the more powerful he'll be? -and then he'll be able to command them? Is that what you're saying?"
Romana looks to Brisa, her head tilting. "Don't know of Friends from elsewhere? Yes yes yes, powerful Fathers can blue... bounce... bind powerful Friends."
Brisa draws her breath in sharply, staring at Romana intently... so by her defending this girl today... apparently she's accidentally stopped the Eastern lord at the Trundle pass from amassing more power than... than... Brisa shudders slightly -- she's not sure she wants to think too hard about what that could have meant for her people! Softly she says, "No wonder you fled..."
Romana nods brightly. "While never been eaten before, Romanas not want to be eaten by Friend, yes? Too much Romanas not see."
Brisa looks tensely down the path they'd been traveling... then bites back a snort of laughter at Romana's comment! "Well, can't say as I'd look forward to being eaten either..." She calmly but swiftly gets everyone mounted up and headed towards Bordertown. She suspects there's not much now they can do to cover their tracks; either the Forest will do so, or no... who knows what the Forest wishes. Therefore the sooner they're camouflaged by other people the better, she suspects. "So, Romana... is there any magical way for your father to track you?"
Romana smiles, "No. Romanas not sillys when run... Father cannot see Romanas. But silly cute pretty hunting beasties..." She actually looks very sad for a moment. "What one sees all sees, yes? Romanas let one see her, so pretty they are. Forgot they run in one and ones."
Brisa gives Romana an incredulous look, "The hunting beasts... you consider them 'cute'?! Great Lady..." she blinks, "They can all see what all the rest of them see?! Then... we've all been seen!" She swears worriedly under her breath.
"So rides this way, yes? As far away as cans?"
Brisa says, "We'd been planning on wintering in Bordertown... hm... does the pass close due to snow, up by your city?" She takes another look at Romana, noticing the lack of warm cloaks and clothes... she wonders -- is it just warmer in the East or something? Or is Romana just not that familiar with the out of doors? For that matter, she thinks, what in the Lady's Name am I doing, helping an Easterner?!
Romana looks back, her eyes brightening. "Snow? Snows here? Romanas never seen snows, except way up on mountain tops. Show Romanas snow?"
Brisa blinks, and her eyes widen incredulously at Romana... "Never... seen... snow..." This, she decides, is just too much! She sighs softly, wearily, "Bright Lady help us... so your pass doesn't close for the winter then? We'll have bounty hunters on our tails for... dear Lady... for the rest of our lives?!" She rubs her face, "All right, think, think... Romana, is there anything you might do, or be, that would cause the Friend to not want you any more?"
Romana shrugs her shoulders. "Or until Father gets bored..."
Brisa rolls her eyes, "Pardon me, but I don't want to stake my life and the lives of my friends on that happening any time soon..." She thinks incredulously, blue eyed Easterners! will wonders never cease... but why do they have to keep on not ceasing... on me?! She grins a little ruefully at the image of wonders dropping from the sky on her... then smiles at Romana. Ah well... she did want a life of adventure as a kid... now she's got one...
The look Brisa gets back is surprisingly serious. "Corlay..." The girl lets the word fall off unfinished, "...Romanas' folk get bored very easily, Starbredkiller. It's why Romanas' folks so good at dark pleasures, always looking for something new. Don't wish on Fathers' bored being... on it depend. But no. Hunting beasts don't like the Forest Road. And Hunters on plains... well... stopping them what Starbredkillers and Knights are for."
Brisa studies Romana thoughtfully, then says slowly, "Why don't the hunting beasts like the Forest Road? Does the Forest know them? What's Corlay?"
Romana blinks, quiet. Then she points to herself. "Corlayyan. Romanas' folks... and the Forest, the Forest feeds on Romanas' Folks."
Brisa looks suddenly, utterly fascinated... she breathes, "Really? Why, Romana? do you know?"
The girl shakes her head, quiet. "Romanas not know why. The Heartwood eats Romanas' folks. It just does now. Listen to it when in shadow walks on road to Kh'lhy'ra and Trundly-hilly."
Brisa looks puzzled, "Wait... you walked out of the Forest of Roth with us just fine... or do you mean just Dirkwood?" Romana just nods to the west, where the shadows of the Dirkwood Forest hide. Brisa studies Romana in slightly awed fascination... this girl has fled her previous, extremely comfortable life, into a hostile land that not only recognizes her but would consume her in an instant; with no preparation, little in the way of resources... what desperation, what courage... what insanity? -would cause such an action? Brisa says slowly, "And you, Romana? are you also easily bored?"
Turning, Romana nods, but her eyes sparkle. "Oh yes, but new lands, exciting always is. If new, if fun, if make Romanas smile, no reason not to do, yes? Father right about that. But..." Romana frowns again, her face truly expressive. "But if Romana has right to have all new and fun Romana wants then all other folks have that right too, yes? So how can what Romana wishes do make other folks sad? That would be hypotenuse... hippopotamus... hypercritical, yes? Father said no cares, Romana not think that quite right..."
Brisa studies Romana for a long, slow moment... then finally murmurs a small internal prayer, Bright Lady, I hope I'm doing Right... guide me in this, please? She takes a long, slow breath and nods quietly, "Hypocritical." So... the girl has the beginnings of her own morality... that's a good sign surely? "All right... if you wish to see new places, Romana, you need to look like you fit in, at least a little. You should put your jewelry out of sight so envious people don't try to steal it from you... and when we get to Bordertown we'll sell the horse and get you some warm clothes." She smiles ruefully, "I suspect you're going to see all the snow you've ever wanted... and then some, this winter..." Brisa studies the horse she's leading behind Khari, then looks back at Romana and Dancer, "If you want you can stay with us... as long as it's all right with the others, da?"
"Sells Dancer?" Romana's blue eyes snap open, fast and hard. "But Dancer always with me, since coltishness. Better than Friend even!" Then her head ducks, "I would like to stay, yes? Learn new... you see Romanas good companions can be."
Brisa chuckles, "Oh no, not Dancer! This one here." She gestures to the horse whose rider she shot off its back. Then she gives Romana another startled look -- I seem to be doing that a lot today... "You like the Friend? The Friend is a friend of yours too, not just your father's?!"
The young girl lets out a long, perceptible sigh of relief. "Good... Dancer important, yes?" But then she shakes her head very hard and fast, emphatic -- and for the first time Brisa gets a glimpse of her slender, exotic, pointed ears. "Not that Friend! Friend eats Romanas very very bad! But other Friends, they bright and nice and fun. Mostly small, but still can be Friends."
Brisa nods quietly, "Yes, I understand... Khari is like that for me." She holds up a warning hand, "Careful, Romana... don't toss your hair so much, all right?" She smiles, "We'll see about maybe a nice warm hat for you too... that might help."
Smiling, Romana nods her head. "New hats, Romanas like thoughts of new hats... never needed warm hats before."
Brisa shakes her head ruefully at herself, I am helping... a runaway easterner... can this day get any weirder?! Khari just whuffles. Brisa nods gravely, "Romana... please, be careful. The weather can kill people that are unwary and unprepared. You're both right now... you need to learn a lot if you're to survive. I don't say this to scare you... but I do think you need to know, all right? You're choosing a very difficult path. I'll help if you want... but know what you're choosing, all right?"
Romana stops her horse for just a moment, quiet. Her word are very, very quiet and still. "Romanas'... Master... Romanas' Master couldn't have Romanas. Father said. Romanas for Friend. But anything else master could make Romana do. Teach of Friends, must do what Master says." Her eyes narrow, like blue ice. "Everything. This is Way of East. Ends Master learned not to cross Princess of Kh'lhy'ra. To get there, for ten years Romanas make hard decisions, Starbredkiller...
...never think that Romanas not understand."