The Cumbrian War

"I will fight until death against any ally of the Wheel Clan but first let me rouse my clan, it is time for us to step out of the shadows and let our armor gleam on the battle field once more it is time to make a stand against the tyrants of Arcanum. I fear I must leave you to make the trip to my clan, however I shall return with are fieriest warriors. Amohl because you are going towards where my clan is if you wish we can travel together. "

 

In lue of Notharah:


[I stand up] "And count me in too! We met on the battle-field old man and it proved a great adventure. If you seek your sister and further adventure then I will gladly offer my services. I'm sure my magick will be handy and you'll want an ally too". [I sit back down].

I think of the dead woman I saw in getting to Stillwater and I cannot let that happen to another innocent woman. Besides, it's got to be better than sitting around here all day and I'm starting to get fed up with that bed of mine!

[OOC]
Draco, you lead the way and I'll just 'tag along' until I figure out what's going on. Notharah will be back again in 3 days anyway.
[/OOC]

 

I look around myself in surprise. This meeting has gone far better than I could've hoped. I'm free, and have willing allies. "I thank you all for the support. You're more than welcome to come along, Feril. If things are as I fear, you'll probably end up having more adventure than you wanted. You can tag along with us, dwarf, until we have to part ways."

Turning towards the young lady next to Katherine, I smile warmly. "I don't how, or why, you cleared us my good woman, but if there's ever anything I can do for you. Just mention it. If I can't do it myself, I'll pay to have it done by others."

"I'm also in your debt, Katherine. The thanks are long overdue, and seem to be gaining interest." I chuckle a little to myself, my spirits rising a bit now. "If talking with you and teaching you a spell or two helps to repay that debt, by all means. But why wait 'til after the meal. Oh, the spell will wait, can't teach with a mouthful of food. Talking though, that I can do here and now. Have you ever read 'Liriel's Discourse on the Value of Magic'? Interesting reading, rife with inaccuricies and presumptuous arguments, but interesting nonetheless." I take a bite of food and chew it a second, before continuing on with my mini-lecture.

[OOC]
Good luck, now that he's talking, he'll be a hard man to shut up. Especially with the prospect of possibly finding his sister, or at least what happened to her rising. But you can go ahead with whatever conversations you want to until the meal is over. He won't really notice if no one is paying attention.
[/OOC]

 

We chat about various topics war, weapons, technology vs. magik, alcohol and some parts of a back-stories. After I eat I settle in my chair for a little nap and fall asleep to the arguing of Katherine and Amohl on what the best book relating to the Tullien walls is or some such thing. I figure they will rouse me when the time comes to leave.

[OOC] Well every one seems to know every one so where all caught up on the affairs of each other oh please continue your conversations while I nap.[/OOC]

 

For breakfast, I ended up next to the one they call Gather. A nice-enough looking man, but too smart for my tastes. I wondered where I was going to get some decent clothes... This whole dress thing just wasn't gonna cut it. Gather leaned over during breakfast and asked if any of the others were spies. I looked up in suprise, my mouth already full. "Don't think so," I mumbled, scraping my plate and looking around for seconds. There's nothing like a good meal to consume one's attention. He wasn't satisfied with my answer, of course. Military folk always have to be so precise. I motion a food-person over to my plate and look at each guest closely, keeping a close eye on the level of consumptibles. When my plate's full I shake my head, "Nope, not unless I don't know 'em all." I promptly fill my mouth with food. Trying to eat faster, I finally ditch the fork, and dive in with dagger and hand. The dwarf was kind enough to fill our glasses, but I need something more... I whisper to one of the food-people, and he romptly brings me a bottle of wine. Nothing special, just wet, alchoholic, and lots of it. I wipe a hand on my new dress and settle down for at least three more courses, appearing to be ignoring my surroundings, but hearing every word...

 

"I'm glad that Amohl will get help. And may I ask if someone stays here to keep company for me?" I turn at Kat. "Katherine? Jaden?" I turn at him. "Eve?"

 

I've never seen anyone eat so much. I'm sure it can't be good for her.

Since the food arrived, Evie's done nothing but eat. [I notice her wiping her hand on her dress, and sighing, shake my head]. I've obviously got a lot of work ahead of me. One thing is for sure, I'm not going to let this girl go back to the streets - she's been through too much already. I must have a word with the magick council about her furture.

Mercren must have had too much to drink. That and his wounds are probably tiring him out a bit. He went to sleep right after the meal and is now snoring quietly in his seat. Amohl, sitting right next to him, seems oblivious to the fact though and rambles on regardless. He may have a tendency to talk too much, but he's an engaging old man and I find I like him. He's promised to teach me a few spells after the meal and his knowledge of Arcanum is probably greater than that of anyone else I know. Perhaps I let myself in for more than I bargained for - he does love to talk! He recomends a few books for light reading and we banter a bit about magick and, well, just about every other subject under the sun!

Feril just seems to be sitting quietly, watching everybody else. He doesn't seem to participate much, but is interested enough in his surroundings.

[I look at Andrew, seated on the other side of Evie] He too seems a bit astonished at the rate of Evie's eating. He still seems tired but the general's life suits him. "Andrew" [he looks up] "I haven't had chance to thank you for what you've done for Ben. When I left I couldn't have dreamed of a better opportunity for him and I appreciate what you've done. I thank you." [He blushes slightly and fumbles with his cutlery. I laugh and flash a smile at him].

After a while it seems everyone has eaten their fill. Myself, I feel stuffed. The 'celebration breakfast' was excellent and the wine of a good quality and I know I'm going to sleep well tonight. As the evening winds down, I look over at Amohl. Even he seems to have eaten too much, for he has finally stopped his rambling and just sits there looking content. I lean over to Evie and tell her that she will be sleeping with me tonight in the 'ladies tent'. She nods and I get up and wander over to Amohl.

"Greetings lady" he says when I get close. "Come for your spells have you? [He claps his hands in glee] Well, lets get going then or we'll lose the light!"

I make my excuses and Amohl and I slip out into the cool evening air. The sun is low on the horizon and everything is quiet. It hardly seems that a day ago there was a fierce battle all but a few miles from here.
Amohl suggests we find an animal, so we walk over to the stables. As we enter, Pheonix whinies and gives a welcoming snort as she recognises me. Smiling I move to Pheonix's side. "Amohl, this is Pheonix - Pheonix, this is Amohl!" I say as an introduction.

Amohl laughs. "Nice to meet you Pheonix! Well then Katherine, let's begin!"

[OOC]
Hope no-one minds us leaving, but the evening was all but finished anyway. Rosie, I'll probably see you when I go to bed later .

OK Draco, time for me to learn!

OH, and someone - don't forget to wake the Dwarf! :wink:
[/OOC]

 

[OOC]I dont mind just make sure someone wakes me up in the morning I think I'll sleep in this chair I'm to tired to move [/OOC]

 

The chitchat was enjoying but I was really getting tired. Finnaly... I went to my bed. Then I remembered I forgot to thank Katherine. "Oh well there is always tommorow" I thought to myself. Luckily for me the dwarf wasn't snoring...much so I fell asleep quickly.

 

"Nice to meet you Pheonix! Well then Katherine, let's begin!"

"Okay, I already know you're an excellent mage, one of the best I've seen in a long time. So I'll start with a demonstration." I walk slowly towards Phoenix, and she whinnies nervously, looking at Katherine.

"Don't worry, Phoenix. He won't hurt you." With these words of comfort, Phoenix settles down a bit but still isn't completely comfortable.

Making sure Katherine can see what I'm doing, I go through the motions required for the spell. It takes longer than usual, but once cast, I'm not quite sure what to say to Phoenix. So I say the first thing that comes into my mind, one of the jokes I'd overheard back in Stillwater. She doesn't get it of course, since the concepts that would make it funny are foreign to horses. She sends back a completely jumbled set of images, indicating her confusion. I chuckle. "What? What just happened?" Katherine asks, also confused.

"Oh, I suppose I did neglect to mention that. One of the benefits of this spell is that only the caster, and whomever he's talking to can 'hear' the conversation. Now, why don't you go ahead and give it a shot. Once you've cast it, just, uh, think in Phoenix's direction. The actual visualization of the process is normally different for everyone. But I see myself writing it down on paper, folding it into a bird shape and launching it at the target. You can use whatever you're most comfortable with."

I watch carefully as Katherine casts the spell, then wait while she tries to send a message. After about a minute, a huge smile breaks out onto her face. Caught up in the moment, I grab her in a quick hug. Completely oblivious to the stunned look she gives me, my own smile beams on my face. "Such a wonderful thing isn't it? You can learn some of the most amazing things from animals. So different from people, gives a whole new look on things. You did very well for your first time. The casting could use a little refinement, but I'm sure you'll have it perfected in no time at all. I assume you've had experience with sustainable spells before, yes? [I don't bother waiting for a response.] Good, this works the same way. The longer you hold onto the energies of the spell, the longer you can talk. Now, try casting it again, only this time . . ." I spend the next couple of hours helping her perfect the new spell. At some point I realize it's gotten a little dark and cast a quick light spell so I can properly watch what she's doing.

"Excellent, my dear. Simply excellent. It's been so long since I've had a pupil who knew what she was doing. Mare was great with animals, but it took her so long to learn some of the defense spells I taught her . . ." Collecting myself before I can break down, I continue. "Is there anything else I can teach you before I turn in? It's still early enough but I do have big plans for the immediate future."

 

[Stifling a yawn] "No, but thank you Amohl. I think I ought to go to bed now - it's been a busy day and I'm rather tired, especially with all that food and wine in me" [I wink at him and he grins back].

I say goodnight to Amohl, and give Pheonix a friendly pat, then I make my way back to the Ladies' pavillion. I pop my head back in through the door to Andrew's tent, but everybody except Mercren has left, who is still snoring peacefully in his chair. I decide against waking him up and move on towards my bed.

When I get to the ladies' pavillion Evie is already in bed. She's not yet asleep and look up when I enter. She's smiling and appears quite happy with her sleeping quarters. I guess it's been a while since she slept in a proper bed and she must also be tired from all that food.

I quickly slip off my clothing and slip under the covers of my bed. Whoever prepared the bedding used soft goose down for the pillow and quilt and the sheets are remarkably soft. There is something nagging at my mind though.

"Evie" I call over, "You mentioned someone called Lucan. Lukan the witless I think it was. You also said he died somehow. I've been meaning to ask, who was he - your partner? or boyfriend perhaps?"

[OOC]
I'm just curious as to your 'relationship' - I take it he was your bitch? :razz:
[/OOC]

 

I awoke in the middle of the night grabbed my half full bottle of Elvin wine put my crutches under my arms then proceeded to make my way out of the tent. I looked over to the ladies tent thought I heard some talking and maybe even some giggling. I walked into the tent that I was staying in laid down drank down the rest of the wine and went back to sleep.

[OOC]I'm ready to go when you guys are :razz: [/OOC]

 

Watching Katherine leave for bed, I sigh quietly to myself. I know it hasn't been that long, but not knowing what happened to Mare is really getting to me. I reach over and pat Phoenix on the nose. "But I'll know soon enough, and the gods help whomever hurt her. They'll need it."
Giving a short wave to Phoenix, I head out of the stables and towards my tent. Maybe I'll be able to sleep properly tonite.

I sit down on the edge of my bed, ready to lay down, when a sudden attack of claustrophobia sits in. "That's odd." Looking around, I try to see if anything is wrong with the tent. "Nothing, unless . . ." I scan for any traces of magic, and find only my staff, and myself. I sit there, thinking, for a few minutes before shrugging and laying back to try to sleep. It doesn't take long to realize that it isn't going to happen, at least not here. A little frustrated, I cast a cantrip on the tent flaps, grab my staff and step outside.

I take a short stroll around the perimeter of the camp, not noticing the guards who watch me closely. On the eastern side, I notice a small copse of trees about 20 yards outside the camp. I walk towards it and find a decently sized clearing. "Szarzilk" A faint green glow surrounds the orb on my staff and I wave it gently in small arcs at the ground. At my direction, small vines grow out of the ground and form a mass while the glow lasts. I take my staff and stick the end into the ground nearby so it stands upright. "Lilacor" The orb now emits a very gentle yellow light and warmth. Stretching out on the ground, I place my head on the pillow I created and slowly drift off to sleep.

[OOC]
I'll be sleeping until a couple hours after dawn. If anyone goes to my tent looking for me before then, they'll activate my cantrip. That'll sound a little bell from my staff, waking me up. It will also inform whoever activated it that I was feeling restless and slept under the stars. And that I should be there shortly unless I don't hear the bell.
[/OOC]

 

Mmmmmm... Food is good. The others talked of nothing important, other than finding the old man's sister. They said my name, and I nodded in his general direction. I had no idea what they were asking. When I was finally full, several hours had passed, and I was sure the cook was desperately searching for more food, since I imagined I'd eaten everything in his larder. Kat left with the old man, something about 'spells.' I heaved my way out of my chair, and stumbled to the tent Kat and I were to share. I quickly stripped down, and slipped into a shirt I had swiped from Gather's chest on my way to bed. I would have to find some better clothes in the morning--I couldn't take another day of being in a dress, even if I did look pretty. I slid into bed, and looked up as Kat entered the room. She smiled at me, and asked about Lukan, albeit in a rather offhand way. I sucked in a breath, and decided that she was just curious, not derogatory. I licked my lips, and tried to think of where to begin. "Well, Lukan was... I guess you could call him my paramour." I laughed. "He even asked me to marry him, once... This ring is his." I leaned over and showed her the emereld on my left hand. "I think I loved him, cuz I cry whenever I think of him, and I feel this hatred for his killer, whoever it was... When I find the bastard, I'll rip him apart. I'll kill him slowly, piece by piece, make him pay for hurtng my sweet, innocent, dumb as a post Lukan... I'll make him wish he was never born." I had worked myself into a fine rage, but one look at Kat's face, and I burst into laughter. "Don't look at me like that! I'm not a bad person, really, I'm jut hurt. It's hard to lose the one you love..." I frowned again, and wiped my eyes hurridly, before the tears could fall. I didn't want to see how Kat was looking at me now, and so turned over on my side, pulling up the blanket. "Good night, Kat," I called. Then i settled in, closing my eyes, and waited for sleep to come.

 

I woke up early next morning. Mecren was still sleeping. I wanted to dress up my favourite shirt but couldn't find it. Then I sent a soldier to ask Eve to come to my tent. She quickly came and was dressed in some soldier's trousers and my shirt (!) .
"Good morning Eve."
"Hey Andrew."
"Don't take offense but people might think some interesting things seeing you walking with my shirt early in the morning..." she blushed.
"I realised you wouldn't like that dress so I ordered more adventorious clothes to be brought here. I hope they fit." I showed her the pile of clothes on one of my chairs. "Keep my shirt if you like it so much. It fits you nicely." she blushed again. " Oh and you may take armor and weapons of your choice from the weapon supplies if you want. But that's later. I want you to tell me all you know about those two contigents of soldiers..."

 

Stretching lazily, I sit up and blearily wipe the sleep from my eyes. "That was the best night I've had in a long time." I stand up and clear off a few bugs that had settled amongst the folds in my robes. Then grabbing my staff, I dispell the magic before starting back towards the camp. I wave to the couple of patroling guards I see.

"Feril? Wake up." I poke my head into the tent he was supposed to occupy. Not seeing him there, I shrug. "I'll run into him sooner or later I'm sure."

My stomach rumbles slightly, quietly reminding me that it's time for breakfast. I head out in search of food when I remember the snoring dwarf from last night. I hail down a passing guard. "Would you happen to know where . . . Macen? No, Mikey? That can't be right . . . the dwarf would be sleeping?" I was hinging on the likely chance that there would only be one dwarf in this camp. The guard points off to a tent and continues on without saying a word. "Lively fellow," I comment to the air as I turn towards the tent he indicated.

Once more poking my head into a tent, I'm greeted by the light snores of the dwarf. Why the devil can't I remember his name? A small prankish smile creeps onto my face. I step inside the tent and slightly to the right of the door. Taking my staff in hand, I bring it around in an arc and smack it into the dwarf's feet. "Up and at 'em!"

Mercren rolls out of bed and grabs his axe in a fluid movement and sweeps it around. If I'd been a foot closer, I would now be a foot shorter. I burst out into laughter while he glares at me. "Don't ye ever wake a dwarf like that when he's sleeping!" Mercren roars at me. I collapse to the ground in gales of laughter, trying to point out the incongruity in what he said, but failing utterly.

After a couple more minutes of his glaring at me, I regain control of myself. "Come on, I'm for breakfast. Afterwards we'll supply ourselves and set out." Mercren mumbles something under his breath that I don't quite catch and follows me out of the tent.

 

I would have slept a bit longer but that ornery old wizard decided I should get up right away. So he hit me with his staff. I brought my axe out of my belt but luckily for him I had a hangover from the night before. "Up and at 'em!" he said as cheery as ever. "Don't ya ever wake a dwarf like that when he's sleeping!" I roared
"Come on, I'm for breakfast. Afterwards we'll supply ourselves and set out." He said ignoring my pervious comment."
"Oh that’s good the bastard hit my injured leg.” I grumbled.
He smiled at me and led toward us toward the mess tent. I decided to leave my crutches behind and try out my legs. When we got there he sat down at the nearest table and I sat down across from him.
I had 5 eggs, a few strips of bacon, some ham, a glass of fresh milk, and a muffin. I had to keep my protein amounts balanced. I think Amohl had something Elvin but I was to preoccupied with my own food.
[OOC] Although I said wake me I didnt mean in that way :razz: , Everybody else please join the meal and discribe what your eating because what someone eats really defines them.[/OOC]

 

0730 hours - April 8, 1985

I open my eyes. The sun is up and it's light illuminates the canvas, giving the whole tent a bright rosy tint to it. I smile and lie back on the pillow. I look over to Evie's bed, but it's empty. Perhaps she's gone for breakfast, so I get up.

I have a quick, refreshing shower and get dressed in my tight, sleek-looking dragonskin leather. There is no longer a need to wear my dresses and I'd rather keep them clean and neat.

Making my way out of the ladies' pavillion I find the air cool and fresh. There is dew on the ground. I like mornings and this particular morning has a nice feel to it.

I head off towards to mess tent to get a bite to eat - perhap's Evie is already there. The camp is still quiet and people are talking in hushed voices. Somewhere to the North I can hear early morning bird song and I humm a tune to myself happily as I walk among the tents.

Reaching the tent I find Amohl and Mercren already there. Mercren has a grumpy look on his face that probably owes a bit to last night's drinking, but he is tucking in heartily to a large breakfast. Amohl as usual is talking happily to no-one in particular. Evie doesn't yet appear to be here.

I pull up a chair. "Mind if I join you gentlemen?" I ask. Mercren looks up from his food and gestures to the chair, with a smile now on his face, whilst Amohl appears delighted to have some more company and begins to ramble on happily.

A young girl comes over to the table and offers to bring me my breakfast and I tell her what I want. She runs off and soon returns with some buttered toast made from freshly baked bread, which is still warm so the butter melts. She also sets down a large jug of fresh orange juice, a bowl of fruit and a selection of jams and preserves. "Ooh! Just how I like it!" I exclaim. "And this toast is delicious!" I thank her and she runs off giggling back to fire pit.

[Mercren scowls at me]. "That's not a breakfast!" He exclaims. "How can you survive on such a pitiful amount of food!" [I grin at him] "I don't like a heavy breakfast" I reply "It slows me down in the morning, and besides, I'm a woman and don't need to continually stuff my face to stay alive!" [Mercren grins back and continues to shovel food into the gap in his beard].

[OOC]
DW, don't worry about the breakfast - girls have a slower metabolism. This means that Kat's digestive system doesn't wake up for a bit and a heavy breakfast lies uncomfortably in her stomach. Besides, a large breakfast would go straight on the hips.....
[/OOC]

 

While Mercren shovels his breakfast into his face, I attack the omellete I'd ordered. "You really should have more greens, vegetables and such. More balance in the diet and all. Take this for example." I hold up a fork full of omellete. "Here we've got eggs, mushrooms, onions, some sort of peppers I haven't identified yet, and ham." I take a sip of the light wine next to my place before continuing on the virtues of a balanced diet.

Shortly, Katherine asks to join us. Mercren waves her into a chair and she orders a light breakfast. I continue talking, but have branched away from diet to herbal medicine. I stop talking in a couple minutes and look around the mess tent. "You didn't happen to see Feril on your way did you, Katherine? I went to wake him up earlier and he wasn't in his tent. And he's not in here either."

Katherine looks around herself. "Sorry, I haven't seen him."

"I wonder where he got himself off to. Oh well, I'm sure the smell of cooking breakfast will attract him. Which reminds me of something . . ."

 

[ooc]heloooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm back... I got back yesterday evening late.... here it was already friday so I didn't stay up long... but now I'm back so I'll try to pick my story-line up again... Oh yes, I wasn't at breakfest[/ooc]

I stared over the fields... deep in thought. I was really into an adventure that was greater than myself... how I longed for this. But right now, I couldn't get my feelings straightened out. I liked this fact of having friends, but at the same time, I was afraid of loosing them.
I didn't want to repeat history, since in the far past I had already lost someone a cared about... ever since then I couldn't bother about anyone else... but now I met people that ment something to me. I made up my mind, I wasn't going to leave them, I would stand beside them and help in anyway I could. I wanted to make a difference here. Partly to forget my past and partly to get a new future full of new adventures.

"hmmmmm, what's that I smell. They must already have made breakfest. Let's pay them a little visit 'cause I'm starving" I thought to myself.

I walked into the place where the rest of the group sat and joined them. Amohl looked at me and said: "ha there you are".
I ordered my meal and entered the chatter........

[ooc] ok, I'm back! I might have missed some points so if someone could pm me the details about what we're going to do. I did read the lot, but it was too much to keep in mind while posting so I didn't do anything spectacular.
I did reveal something to the reader about my past and why I could be around people too much... In later posts I might give more away.
Now someone please post again... I'm very anxious about posting again (I missed this) [/ooc]