He goes down the trail they had made, broken twigs and flattened grass lay aside, decorating the path.
A silent brushing noise followed by some grunts comes from the bushes on his right. "Sounds like a wild boar," Ranwell whispers to himself.
Slowly he drops to one knee with an arrow on the string. He follows the sound by the point of his arrow, turning his body in a semicircle.
Focusing hard he looks down the arrows shaft. The beast comes into view.
Ranwell takes aim and frees the string, letting the arrow dart through the air.
Ranwell comes back to the barn-hide with a boar over his shoulders. He waves at Robert who was still looking up at the strange middle-aged man he had seen earlier.
The stranger appears to be answering a question of Robert's. 'Yeah, I've seen a guy in a burgundy cloak - there 'e is!' he added, noticing Ranwell. 'And it looks like 'e 'as breakfast! Bacon! Lovely.' He rubs his hands together.
Ranwell comes back to the barn-hide with a boar over his shoulders. He waves at Robert who was still looking up at the strange middle-aged man he had seen earlier.
The stranger appears to be answering a question of Robert's. 'Yeah, I've seen a guy in a burgundy cloak - there 'e is!' he added, noticing Ranwell. 'And it looks like 'e 'as breakfast! Bacon! Lovely.' He rubs his hands together.
Ranwell lets out a cry as he trips on a small rock and comes rolling towards them.
He picks himself up and puts the boar aside, then looks at Robert, trying not to smile.
Gruntil meanwhile was now poking at the ferret with the end of a broom handle. He didn't like little annoying things that moved, even though he was one himself.
The stranger appears to be answering a question of Robert's. 'Yeah, I've seen a guy in a burgundy cloak - there 'e is!' he added, noticing Ranwell. 'And it looks like 'e 'as breakfast! Bacon! Lovely.' He rubs his hands together.
Ranwell lets out a cry as he trips on a small rock and comes rolling towards them.
He picks himself up and puts the boar aside, then looks at Robert, trying not to smile.
Gruntil meanwhile was now poking at the ferret with the end of a broom handle. He didn't like little annoying things that moved, even though he was one himself.
Ranwell walks up to the strange man.
"Hello there! I'm sure I've seen you before. Are you lost?"
Ranwell lets out a cry as he trips on a small rock and comes rolling towards them.
He picks himself up and puts the boar aside, then looks at Robert, trying not to smile.
Gruntil meanwhile was now poking at the ferret with the end of a broom handle. He didn't like little annoying things that moved, even though he was one himself.
Ranwell walks up to the strange man.
"Hello there! I'm sure I've seen you before. Are you lost?"
The man shakes Ranwell's hand. 'Yer, we met in da woods. You were chucking arrows around! No hard feelings though. Me name's Trusty. Trusty Deerhead. Peeps call me Panface.' He picks up his ferret, rescuing the pet from Gruntil. 'This is Busker. He won't bite, you strange little creature,' Trusty says to the goblin.
'No, I'm not lost. I'm going to the M Village, dah village of opportunity. But I could do with some grub before I carry on my way . . . please.'
"Hello there! I'm sure I've seen you before. Are you lost?"
The man shakes Ranwell's hand. 'Yer, we met in da woods. You were chucking arrows around! No hard feelings though. Me name's Trusty. Trusty Deerhead. Peeps call me Panface.' He picks up his ferret, rescuing the pet from Gruntil. 'This is Busker. He won't bite, you strange little creature,' Trusty says to the goblin.
'No, I'm not lost. I'm going to the M Village, dah village of opportunity. But I could do with some grub before I carry on my way . . . please.'
"Ahh yes! Please to meet you. I'm Ranwell and this is my band of outlaws, come let's talk while Robert seasons the boar.
Post by Archs >>----> on Jan 20, 2020 18:54:57 GMT
Robert, still kneeling by the fire side opens a small pouch fastened to his belt. He takes out some salt, pepper and a hand full of herbs to use to season the boar.
OOC: Time to pick things back up here! Nothing for Tasha just yet, BabyDill, but very soon.
IC: As the next day dawns, three shadowy figures slip into town and make their way to the barracks where the Hand resides. A greeting to the two soldiers on guard duty grants them entrance. For many minutes, they wait in the entry hall, before finally being admitted to the office of Dalibor Fist. He sits behind his desk, accompanied by Ugran Thumb, Kinath Palm, Piers Finger, Jawless Finger, Flintedge Finger, and Gosse Finger. They have decided that, for this, all their leaders must be present. "Speak your purpose," says Dalibor.
The first of the figures removes her hood, motioning for her companions to do the same. "Morning, Dalibor. Piers, Jawless, Gosse, Kinath." She nods to Ugran and Flintedge as well, but does not appear to have the same level of familiarity with them. "You may be aware that I have recently joined the Shadow Kingdom as one of the new Shadow Guard. Several weeks ago, a man arrived at our castle, claiming to be the old ruler of the kingdom. Since then, he has sown fear and discontent, violently imprisoning or executing any who question or oppose his rule. A number of us decided this could not be allowed to continue, and we revolted. We were forced to flee the castle, and lost most of our fighters in the battle. Thus, it has been decided that we should enlist your services to take back our kingdom. We are prepared to pay a significant sum, most on completion of the job." Alaia now gestures to her two companions. "Sergeant Arrats leads our remaining soldiers. You may discuss questions of tactics with him. And Maite will be handling the money."
There is a long silence before Dalibor replies. "Step outside, please. We will discuss your offer in private." Alaia nods and leads Maite and Arrats out of the room. Morning presses onward.
OOC: Time to pick things back up here! Nothing for Tasha just yet, BabyDill , but very soon.
IC: As the next day dawns, three shadowy figures slip into town and make their way to the barracks where the Hand resides. A greeting to the two soldiers on guard duty grants them entrance. For many minutes, they wait in the entry hall, before finally being admitted to the office of Dalibor Fist. He sits behind his desk, accompanied by Ugran Thumb, Kinath Palm, Piers Finger, Jawless Finger, Flintedge Finger, and Gosse Finger. They have decided that, for this, all their leaders must be present. "Speak your purpose," says Dalibor.
The first of the figures removes her hood, motioning for her companions to do the same. "Morning, Dalibor. Piers, Jawless, Gosse, Kinath." She nods to Ugran and Flintedge as well, but does not appear to have the same level of familiarity with them. "You may be aware that I have recently joined the Shadow Kingdom as one of the new Shadow Guard. Several weeks ago, a man arrived at our castle, claiming to be the old ruler of the kingdom. Since then, he has sown fear and discontent, violently imprisoning or executing any who question or oppose his rule. A number of us decided this could not be allowed to continue, and we revolted. We were forced to flee the castle, and lost most of our fighters in the battle. Thus, it has been decided that we should enlist your services to take back our kingdom. We are prepared to pay a significant sum, most on completion of the job." Alaia now gestures to her two companions. "Sergeant Arrats leads our remaining soldiers. You may discuss questions of tactics with him. And Maite will be handling the money."
There is a long silence before Dalibor replies. "Step outside, please. We will discuss your offer in private." Alaia nods and leads Maite and Arrats out of the room. Morning presses onward.
It is noon before Dalibor invites the Shadow Warriors back in to hear the decision. His answer is simple: "Alaia of the Shadow Guard, you hereby have the services of the Hand for as long as our contract stipulates. Let's negotiate."
OOC: Time to pick things back up here! Nothing for Tasha just yet, BabyDill , but very soon.
IC: As the next day dawns, three shadowy figures slip into town and make their way to the barracks where the Hand resides. A greeting to the two soldiers on guard duty grants them entrance. For many minutes, they wait in the entry hall, before finally being admitted to the office of Dalibor Fist. He sits behind his desk, accompanied by Ugran Thumb, Kinath Palm, Piers Finger, Jawless Finger, Flintedge Finger, and Gosse Finger. They have decided that, for this, all their leaders must be present. "Speak your purpose," says Dalibor.
The first of the figures removes her hood, motioning for her companions to do the same. "Morning, Dalibor. Piers, Jawless, Gosse, Kinath." She nods to Ugran and Flintedge as well, but does not appear to have the same level of familiarity with them. "You may be aware that I have recently joined the Shadow Kingdom as one of the new Shadow Guard. Several weeks ago, a man arrived at our castle, claiming to be the old ruler of the kingdom. Since then, he has sown fear and discontent, violently imprisoning or executing any who question or oppose his rule. A number of us decided this could not be allowed to continue, and we revolted. We were forced to flee the castle, and lost most of our fighters in the battle. Thus, it has been decided that we should enlist your services to take back our kingdom. We are prepared to pay a significant sum, most on completion of the job." Alaia now gestures to her two companions. "Sergeant Arrats leads our remaining soldiers. You may discuss questions of tactics with him. And Maite will be handling the money."
There is a long silence before Dalibor replies. "Step outside, please. We will discuss your offer in private." Alaia nods and leads Maite and Arrats out of the room. Morning presses onward.
It is noon before Dalibor invites the Shadow Warriors back in to hear the decision. His answer is simple: "Alaia of the Shadow Guard, you hereby have the services of the Hand for as long as our contract stipulates. Let's negotiate."
The negotiations continue for the remainder of the day. As they finish, Dalibor, Ugran, Piers, Jawless, Flintedge, Gosse, and Kinath assemble the rest of the Hand. "For over a year, we have lived in this village, once home to many of us, but we are no longer the same people who left to fight the Xains. In the absence of proper governance, we have protected this town, but this was never our purpose. When I formed the Hand, I envisioned a mercenary force that could act as a power in this region, to give a reason and a purpose to the pain that each of us experienced during the war. It is time that we fulfill that goal. Many of you, those from this village, know Alaia. She did not fight with us, but she has chosen now to tie herself to the Shadow Kingdom, a kingdom that is now under siege from within by a tyrant. Those who oppose his reign have come to us to buy our aid. We have accepted. Tomorrow, we march, leaving our old lives behind us, permanently. Many of you go by new names now. By the time we leave tomorrow, you all will. I am no longer Dalibor Fist." He raises the stump of his left hand, armored in its steel shell. "You may call me Ironcap Fist. Fingers, take your squads and prepare them."
The squads divide up as Ugran Thumb, now Breaker Thumb, collects his enforcers and Kinath Palm, now Crooked Palm, assembles her scribes. Piers Finger becomes Bittertongue Finger, snapping at his squad to assemble. And despite heckling from his fellows, Gosse Finger takes the name Chuckles Finger, laughing away their objections in his strange cackle.
IC: It's sometime after sunset when Daw bursts into the Gift Horse's Mouth, breathing heavily. The last several days have been difficult for everyone, business almost nonexistent in the inn and no one leaving save Randel, Aldith, and Tall Wymond when necessary. The little information they bring back is disheartening. With the reveal of Azad's identity, much of the town seems to have lost trust in them, and they are never gone long.
"Where 'ave you been!?" Eda shouts to Daw. "You know the rules! You could 'ave been 'urt!"
Aldith storms in from the kitchen. "'E will be 'hurtin' once I've 'ad a word with 'im!"
Daw gasps. "No time. 'Eard news. The Hand is leavin' tomorrow, takin' Anders and the man who attacked Tasha with 'em."
Tall Wymond shoots to his feet and hurries to the stables.
IC: It's sometime after sunset when Daw bursts into the Gift Horse's Mouth, breathing heavily. The last several days have been difficult for everyone, business almost nonexistent in the inn and no one leaving save Randel, Aldith, and Tall Wymond when necessary. The little information they bring back is disheartening. With the reveal of Azad's identity, much of the town seems to have lost trust in them, and they are never gone long.
"Where 'ave you been!?" Eda shouts to Daw. "You know the rules! You could 'ave been 'urt!"
Aldith storms in from the kitchen. "'E will be 'hurtin' once I've 'ad a word with 'im!"
Daw gasps. "No time. 'Eard news. The Hand is leavin' tomorrow, takin' Anders and the man who attacked Tasha with 'em."
Tall Wymond shoots to his feet and hurries to the stables.
OOC: YAY!
IC: *Tasha's brushing down her horse as he inters*
IC: It's sometime after sunset when Daw bursts into the Gift Horse's Mouth, breathing heavily. The last several days have been difficult for everyone, business almost nonexistent in the inn and no one leaving save Randel, Aldith, and Tall Wymond when necessary. The little information they bring back is disheartening. With the reveal of Azad's identity, much of the town seems to have lost trust in them, and they are never gone long.
"Where 'ave you been!?" Eda shouts to Daw. "You know the rules! You could 'ave been 'urt!"
Aldith storms in from the kitchen. "'E will be 'hurtin' once I've 'ad a word with 'im!"
Daw gasps. "No time. 'Eard news. The Hand is leavin' tomorrow, takin' Anders and the man who attacked Tasha with 'em."
Tall Wymond shoots to his feet and hurries to the stables.
OOC: YAY!
IC: *Tasha's brushing down her horse as he inters*
Tall Wymond says nothing as he rushes over to Cheer and begins packing saddlebags.
