| Heartwood Logs |
2000-04-30a
| Heartwood |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
Riding out of Cragside
- Slowly Elise stands, brushing out her long skirts, a simple
rustling more of unconscious habit than anything else. She takes a deep
breath, gathering herself, her arms wrapped tight about herself. Then
with a nod she follows Brisa from the healer's small workroom out into
the hospice proper.
It is quiet, almost silent, this deep into the night. Few stir, most being lost in a deep healing sleep. Indeed the only one who is not caught by the Atteran's peace seems to be the mercenary captain. Koromov lies on her low cot, her sleep restless. Next to her, silent, is one of her men, his knees drawn up. And set near the foot of the bed is an old and travel worn guitar.
Brisa glances to make sure everyone's out of the storeroom, then quietly pulls the door shut. She hands her cloak to Anuje and whispers, "Here... curl up somewhere and sleep, kisa. Need keys from you too... but not worry, will not leave without you." She waits for Anuje to give her the keys before going to talk to the captain.
Benedict blinks at the movement elsewhere in the hospice, sitting up groggily and sighing, weary from the night's incidents and knowing they're not over even with the coming dawn. He stands, straightening disheveled robes, and quietly shuffles out of the corner he'd been sleeping in. Raphael stirs, looking up from his watch. He rubs one eye with a sleepy fist, curious as to the business of anyone up so late. Brisa nods politely to Rafael, waiting for Anuje... then takes the keys carefully and limps over to settle near Rafael, so she can whisper quietly to him. Her own steps growing tired and small, Elise slowly follows Roxanna and Brisa. She stands perhaps a step back as Brisa couches next to the mercenary. Anuje takes the blanket and carefully steps over sleeping forms to make her way to Benedict's corner. She settles down nearby and wraps herself up, keeping an eye and an ear out for awhile. Roxanna makes sure that Anuje is settled without opening her wounds, and then quietly makes her way over to where Brisa is sitting.
Raphael looks up, combing back his ruffled hair with one hand as Brisa settles in. At her words however his eyes widen a bit, with just the mention of three carts of steel setting him awake. Brisa explains the situation to Rafael and presents the offer -- the crates are in a locked warehouse with a few thieves watching it. The sword blanks are already crated and in wagons, and they have horses to pull the wagons, drivers, and the requisite keys, as well as the key to the thieves' guild warehouse, apparently. Do the Horde wish to buy the sword blanks? If so Brisa would also like for her and her companions (as many as may wish, at least) to be allowed to ride out with the Horde while leaving the city. Brisa will beckon Elise over to answer any questions Rafael may have also, if necessary. If not she'll just let the poor girl sleep. Benedict listens as Brisa gives Rafael the offer. He's not sure what to think; the Horde will certainly need the sword blanks, what with the current events in Cragside, but... but still, the priest in him cringes slightly. Even so... he's seen the Wild Horde, has no reason to doubt what he has seen has been Truth. They're honorable, at least it seems so... he'd much, much rather they had the sword blanks... than Velikii.
"Now that's a windfall which, to put it sharply, must have both edges cutting at you..." Rubbing the back of his neck, Rafe chuckles. "I guess that's an offer we... well we can't refuse. Especially since we could probably use them too. Now we don't have much free cash, it being winter and all... but perhaps we might barter a bit? As for riding out with us," Rafe shakes his head, "-myself, Barris and a pair of others have got permission from the Knights to stay here because of the Captain. The rest of us are already gone. Like Anwynsson's troop. I would believe they are a half day towards Bordertown by now."
Benedict blinks. The rest of the Horde are gone? Great Hastur! That means it's just us and the Apostate! Brisa sighs, "Nichyevo... fetching carts and driving them out with Horde along would have been too easy, I suppose. Hm... well, could Barris and two others come with us then? Would make getting carts rolling past thieves and whatever is on gate easier for everyone."
Raphael nods, "We could surely do that. That's not a problem at all, especially if we can say they are truly ours."
Nodding once, Elise speaks up. "I can vouch for that. Father's goods, now mine. I gave to the lady here, so it's hers to give to who she chooses. Will tell the Knights that, too."
Benedict clears his throat slightly. "I imagine carrying the blanks out by hand would be... foolish."
Anuje frowns and asks Benedict quietly, "How many of them are there?" She glances around at the dim room. "And it might be considerate not to wake the others..."
Brisa says, "Too many to carry by hand, kisa."
Benedict nods to Brisa, saying quietly. "That's what I thought..."
Roxanna says, "Three cartloads."
Brisa nods again tiredly, "Nichyevo... we'll make do with what resources we have to get them out. Am planning on wintering in Bordertown... where you want carts, gospodin? Will need to have drivers, and horse and wagon rental is to gospazha Elise here... horses are hers, might want to talk to her about that?"
Anuje says, "I mean...of the number of... blackguards waiting for us."
Brisa says, "Oh... no idea, kisa. P'jalst... we'll deal with it. Am hoping we this can do tomorrow morning?"
Looking up, Deynnekko considers. "Actually it'll have to be dawn; the town gates are closed until She peaks up over the mountain tops. But aye, Jared and Hank will be able to help you with the driving. And we are a day's east, up the pass, where there's a handful of farmhouses. But for barter... what would you wish? I'm sure Duffy has a handful of horses he might part with... and I'm sure I could convince Barris to beat on you for a few days if you'd like?"
Anuje blinks. "Beat on you?"
Brisa laughs tiredly, "Horses and beating? What an offer... well, moment." She looks around at the others thoughtfully... they're all exhausted or sleeping... some of them aren't used to country living... she looks back at the Hordesman and nods, "Would like, please, gentle horses and food-camping stake for all my companions?" She grins quietly at Anuje, "Fighter practice, kisa." Looking back at Rafael she adds, "If that still not enough is, have you crowns for difference?" Benedict frowns slightly, his sleep-addled mind trying to piece together what's going on. It takes him a bit before he realizes they're bartering for the sword-blanks. Somehow, this gives him a faintly queasy feeling.
Rafe laughs in a very friendly manner. "There are folks who'd give an arm for such a beating, lassie. Barris is perhaps the fifth best swordsmaster this side of the Black Mountains." He nods to Brisa, "Is tha' what ye wish? We could also scrounge up some better armor... or perhaps a favor owed?"
Brisa counts on her fingers quietly, "Me. Roxanna. Benedict, Anuje, Trystan, Elise, her da... seven shares." She looks up at Rafael from her cross-legged seat on the floor, "Need at least some in crowns, gospodin... gospazha Elise say she not want any, but sometimes good it is to have a crown or two tucked away against snowy day. Her share in crowns should be, am thinking?" She thinks, then shakes her head, "Nyeh... in food stake and crowns." She looks up at those of her companions that are awake, "This with you all is acceptable?"
Anuje has finally drifted off to sleep, curled up under the blanket loaned to her by Brisa. Roxanna says, "I think so. Will Elise be staying with us, or does she have somewhere to go?"
Brisa says, "Am wery willing to take mine in horse feed, working out with Barris though, gospodin... is possible others of companions have needs also I not know of."
Blinking, Elise tiredly replies, "I have nowhere but my stake, yes? If some of my share could be in hospitality..."
Letting out a long breath, Rafe agrees. "I'll have to ask Duffy but I think we can be working something out. And supplies? Oh, that we can certainly help with."
Brisa glances to see if Elise can hear... then grins at Roxanna and leans to whisper just to her, "Am thinking girl wintering with wery polite young men wery good for both, nyeh?" She glances at Duffy and adds with mock severity, "Am expecting you to take wery good care of gospazha Elise, da?"
Raphael looks back and laughs, giving her a mock disdainful air. "My Lady, you are talking to the son of the Prince of Trundle's Personal Bodyguard, an Imperial of good and high standing. In fact, I'm the only person in the world mother likes!. Besides, if I wasn't good to the little dama Dandy would knock my head..."
A hand reflexively lashes out, clocking Rafe soft but soundly. In her sleep the Dayallan mercenary just mumbles, "...that's Captain Koromov to you, Deynnekko..."
Brisa grins tiredly, "Da... am sure now you in such trouble will be!"