Alexander can't help but return the smile as he answers Rowena. True but we could muck any damp hay out after or move any dry hay outside the walls before as a precaution.
Alexander Responds to Sheoll's last statement but isn't able to finish his response before hearing Tassira's shout. Sometimes it's enough to simply strive for... Sorry excuse me. Alexander moves away from the conversation to see if there is anything to be done. Tassira are you all right?
Tassira is still waving her hand about when Alexander arrives to help her.
"I hit my thumb with the hammer." She says with a sigh, looking down at the ground with a serious blush on her face.
"I've... never done this sort of thing before." She says, reluctant to make eye contact.
Upon the noblewoman's exclamation and Alexander's concerned enquiry, Rowena stood from her crouched position by Sheoll, wiped her hands clean on her skirt, excused herself for a moment and drew closer to the two Medvyed relations.
In her gentle healer's voice, Rowena enquired,
"Lady Tassira, does the wound need tending to?"
She politely waited until the lady gave answer or leave to draw closer.
Alexander offers a reassuring hand Its ok. You are helping as best you can with this that is all that matters. You have other skills and abilities that are more important. Right now if you want to help with the physical stuff maybe you can help douse the walls with water.
Tassira's gaze immediately snaps from the ground to Rowena as she speaks.
"Um... er... I-I think it'll go away in a bit..." She stammers, briefly squeezing her eyes shut and sharply inhaling before opening them again. *ahem* "...but, I wouldn't say no, if you're offering..."
Great. Now you're stammering like a blithering idiot. You just embarrassed yourself in front of everyone. If Father were here...
Alexander's reassurances help calm her down somewhat. "Okay... sure. Throwing water at things. I can do that. Definitely."
Rowena accepted the lady's leave to approach and moved forward, gently lifting the injured thumb to examine it for signs of bone break or pierced flesh which could infect.
"Lady Tassira, the bone does not look to be broken nor the skin pierced, which is a good sign. Bruising has set, which will darken, and then heal on its own."
Respectfully letting go of the noblewoman's hand, Rowena pulled out a crisp, clean kerchief from her skirt pocket.
"This is a fresh cloth. I shall bandage the thumb to support it as you work."
With expert fingers the priestess secured the kerchief about Tassira's thumb and tied it off neatly.
Tassira stays quiet as Rowena bandages up her thumb. "Er... thanks, Rowena." She finally says once the thumb is neatly wrapped up. "I--well, Christof always said I was gifted in building bridges. I guess I... um, forgot he was speaking metaphorically." She chuckles a little. It seems to calm her down some more.
"...not sure why I thought that was relevant. A-Anyway... I should, you know, start dousing the walls. So bandits can't burn them down." She swallows and picks up a bucket with as much dignity as she can muster before wandering off to do her job.
I swear on the Faith, if you somehow manage to mess this up as well, you're hopeless.
This time, Tassira is more focused, dutifully splashing water on the trading post's walls and gate. Not once does she make a mistake.
As Rowena helps Tassira with her wound Alexander stands to the side hovering like an over protective brother. Until Tassira says her thanks and moves off to start dousing the walls. With her departure Alexander moves in dipping his head close and speaks quietly to the priestess. Thank you Rowena for helping my cousin and well setting aside the stew for me. I appreciate your consideration... Alexander's pause gives the impression he wished to say more but only awkwardly steps back from the almost intimate closeness and simply gives Rowena a nod and smile before getting back to the preparations for the coming fight.
Alexander had stood by his cousin Tassira's side dutifully and Rowena respected the man's familial loyalty. It spoke much of his character, in her eyes.
Upon the noblewoman's thanks, Rowena inclined her head respectfully and watched as Tassira walked toward the walls and gate of the trading post to start on her new duties.
When Alexander took steps to draw nearer to her and bestowed his own quiet words of thanks, Rowena looked up at the tall nobleman. She did not feel overshadowed by his form, but rather protected. In her own soft voice, Rowena gave reply, "You worked on the cart and mule when sadly the rest of us did not give it thought. It was the least I could do -- to set a bowl aside for you, Alexander. You are welcome. And my divine duty is to heal and provide succour in times of need. Whatever measure of aid and comfort I could give to the Lady Tassira I gave." She fixed upon him another warm smile and when it appeared Alexander had more to say, he surprised her by moving back and returning to his task on the rampart.
Pushing the thought away, Rowena made her way back to Sheoll's side. "Alright, Sheoll? Let me help you with that..." and she helped lift a piece of lumber and held it in place as the warrior hammered in the long nail.
"Yes, Desna was called Starsister by my mother's tribe. I know very little of the prayers, though I sometimes dream of them."
Returning to the quiet conversation they were having moments prior to Tassira's hammer incident, Rowena broached the subject of faith with the warrior as they worked together, "Sheoll, so you are a religious man? Or was your mother the one with an abundance of faith?"
"Redeem? I'm...not sure I'd use that word. The highwaymen I was with are no longer a threat...but there is no real way to return what they have taken, or take back the harm they've done."
"There are certain moral lines that once crossed cannot be uncrossed. I wish more people would consider the wider consequences of their actions and deeds. It is good to see that you have undertaken deeper contemplations."
Alexander gets back to work his mind all a jumble performing the tasks necessary to board up windows and secure the fort for the fight. Moving in a sort of daze quiet with his thoughts. How can someone smell so good and be so giving and caring and lovely and others are depending on me. Alexander pushes distractions to the side as best he can to focus on the tasks at hand only occasionally stealing the odd glance of the priestess as he works a smile seeming to come to his face of its own accord each time.
Cadell sets to work with everyone else getting the trading post ready to ambush the bandits that are expected to arrive in the morning. He puts his gelding in the stable with the mule Block. He makes another attempt to get on the horses good side offering it some dried apple from his trail rations.
Morgan takes the apple and then tried to bite Cadell's outstreached hand. Cadell barely snatches his hand back in time. Viscious Brute he says giving the horse a glare. He give the mule Block a rub on the head before going back to work. When everything is as ready as they can make it he says to the others. We should all get some rest. We don't know when the bandits will arrive tomorrow so we need to be up early and ready for them. We should probably post a guard. I will take the first watch. May I borrow your crossbow Priestess?
Rowena looked to Cadell upon his request of her weapon. She nodded her head in acquiescence and went to get the crossbow and a quiver with 20 bolts from the cart. Returning swiftly, she handed them over to the younger nobleman.
With quiet civility, she responded to the group, "I shall take whichever watch is appointed to me. However, I must rise at dawn to undertake my prayers and prepare my spells for the day."
Tassira looks back at the rest of the party as they work, noticing the look in Alexander's eyes.
It causes a pang of... something inside. She looks between him and Rowena.
She sighs and finishes up dousing the walls with water.
Sheoll look around the outpost, trying to consider various ways of egress that the bandits may attempt. Hopefully they're bold enough to make their entrance through the main gate.
He walks about looking for other tasks to do, occasionally giving a reassuring nod to his fellow defenders.
"At some point I'm going to have to get a bow. I'm good with the throwing axe, but in this situation, I think we need a bit more range."
then turning to Oleg,
"Say, working with hunters, you don't happen to have any strong bows left, do you? I don't have the coin now, but it would be useful now."
An old war veteran who I had the privilege to command taught me how to put together a serviceable sling. A good skill to know when your hungry and traveling the Icerime Peaks. I can assure you Alexander shows a slight grimace at the memories. but more importantly I have dropped a man at close to 100 paces when it was needed and am capable of scoring hits consistently at half that range. I always carry one now. Alexander shows Sheoll the sling that hangs from his belt. I would be happy to put one together for you and give you the extra bullets in my pack. You will be able to lend a good deal of power behind any stone you care to throw with one given your obvious strength.
Responding to the question of guard duty Alexander states his preference. I will take whatever shift is left as long as I have enough rest to adjust my spell repertoire for the fight tomorrow I am content.
Sheoll had been thinking about Rowena's question while he looked around the camp. An interesting thought.
"No Rowena Hunter, I would not say I am a religious man...at least not any more than any man who puts his faith in his muscle and blade. And as for my mother, she was not particularly religious either. No more than any in the tribe at least. They all payed their respects and honored the traditions with thanks and tribute, I suppose, but only the Medicine man heard the Starsister's call with any strength. We were not deaf for lack of trying though. I think our ears were too often filled with blood to hear her clearly."
He gave a slight chuckle at his attempt at humor.
As Cadell comes out of the barn from his encounter with the cantankerous steed, he says,
"I'll relieve you after your watch."
When Alexander spoke up and offered to make a sling for him, he nodded his approval.
"I would welcome your assistance Alexander Medvyed. I would like to hear more of your time as a soldier...perhaps after we've dealt with these brigands."
Tassira approaches the rest of the party as they divide watches.
"Um... so, which watch should I take?"
Cadell takes the crossbow and loads it. Alexander, You take the last watch Sheoll, Master Oleg, and I can cover the rest of the night. Now that I think about it you should take the first watch master Oleg. Sheoll and I can take the middle watches. Three hour watches means everyone can get a decent nights sleep. He says as he fiddles with the weapon. Sheoll I would prefer the second watch, but will be fine with either. Do you have a preference?
Upon Sheoll's answer to her earlier question, Rowena silently pondered its layered meaning. Yet she could not stop herself from imagining a village where blood was readily staining someone's hands and/or blood pounding in their ears. A tribal village, a harder life... Noting the visible scars on the warrior's face and hands, Rowena could only imagine the hardships he had endured, both as warrior and once-brigand.
"My apologies, Sheoll, I mistakenly presumed it was your mother who was the wisewoman in your tribe. At least your people attempted to hear Desna's call. You were fortunate that the wiseman had her blessing and spoke her counsel to you all."
Rowena then grew quiet and allowed the talk of night watch to float about her. She listened intently as Alexander spoke of his experience upon the Icerime Peaks and noticed his pain at the memory. People carry wounds not readily seen with the eyes. A sling would be a useful weapon for her to carry and learn how to wield. It would not take up much space, yet it could help -- as Alexander mentioned -- drop someone if properly levelled.
She decided to have a private word with Alexander -- mayhap after the expected bandit raid as he had other, more pressing matters to consider at present.
At Cadell's mention of the assigned night watch duty, Rowena asked to clarify his meaning, "So, you do not require Lady Tassira or I to take a shift this night?"
Putting his hand on Rowena's shoulder he looked at her, his eyes still bright with the morning. He waits for a moment until her question to Cadell is answered.
"No need for apologies, Rowena Hunter."
He looks thoughtful for a moment,
"Although I never met him, I'm told my father heard the call...though he called her Desna as well. Tell me, how does Deadeye speak to you? If you don't mind the questioning. I'm curious."
I will get to work on it then Sheoll. I would be happy to trade tales with you and possibly some swings of the blade as well. If we can get some decent practice swords or improvise something that offer stands with you as well Cadell I don't wish to lose my fighting edge. Alexander turns to Cadell hearing the suggested watch schedule.
From my experience setting up sleep and work schedules I would advise 2 hour shifts Cadell those that need to prepare spells will have enough rest to do so with 5 shifts and be able to take the time while everyone is awake to memorize or prepare as they need. I would also suggest that the last shift be held by 2 people in case the bandits should show up early. That would allow one to watch the bandit progress while the other person can alert everyone and makes us twice as likely to spot them.
Not wanting to make her feel left out Alexander responds to Tassira's question. You could take the last watch with me Tassira assuming everyone agrees to the 2 hour shift.
Having heard the suggested change in watch duty, Rowena nodded and made her own amendment, "With the two hour shift, I would like to take the first shift, rather than having Master Oleg do it, if there is no dissent. It makes the most sense and then I can rise at dawn to pray and prepare spells. Cadell, I will require my weapon and ammunition back, if you would be so kind. I shall leave it for you to use when it is your turn on watch."
"...Tell me, how does Deadeye speak to you? If you don't mind the questioning. I'm curious."
Rowena had felt Sheoll's reassuring hand on her shoulder moments earlier and she was formulating a reply when she stopped to first offer her watch preference to the group.
Once done, she looked up at the taller warrior with the bright, golden eyes, and finally gave him a quiet answer, lest she disturbed the other discussion.
"Erastil speaks to me in the wild places. It is there, in the breath of the untamed lands, that his voice is clearest. When I work among my community -- undertaking simple tasks with people who care for one another -- I can hear him then. And most assuredly when I pray -- in the peace and stillness of the dawn, I am blessed with his all-encompassing, divine presence."
He smiles approvingly at Rowena, with genuine admiration.
"That you are able to hear him at all is a gift in itself. And quite a helpful one out here I should think."
Standing, he address the group in whole,
"So, the watches are set then. Rowena Hunter will take the first, so she can rise early and make her prayers. Cadell Garess will be next, followed by myself. Oleg, If you have no objections, you will rise after Cadell, and then Alexander Medvyed and Tassira Vantyev will take the final watch."
He looks around at the preparations as they are nearly finished.
"Is there anything else we should set to? Any suggestions?"
Rowena looked up at the scarred warrior and his decisive directing and inclined her head (both at Sheoll's compliment and acceptance of her watch preference). She walked up to Cadell and politely extended her hand for her crossbow and bolts and amiably smiled at the younger nobleman as he handed them to her. She would keep her promise and hand over her weapon for Cadell's use when the time came.
Tassira shrugs when Alexander offers to keep watch with her. "I'm fine with that arrangement. In fact, I'm fine with whoever I end up keeping watch with. I've got my own crossbow that should help me when the bandits come knocking. And if that doesn't work, I've still got my magic..."
She looks around at the party again, stopping at Sheoll when he asks his question. "Hmm... nothing else really comes to mind. I mean, we've boarded over possible areas bandits could run to for cover, we've taken care of the walls so the bandits won't be able to set them on fire... I think we're set!"
I can't think of anything right now that would add to our preparations.
At the others suggestions for the change in watch schedule Cadell just shrugs and gives Rowena her crossbow back. As you like it
Oleg looks over at Sheoll and gives a little shrug. "I have a short bow and ten arrows you may borrow, but if you break it, you buy, hear?" He turns to Svetlana and gives her a little kiss. "I'll need you to stay in the house tomorrow, dear." She nods and looks to the party again. "Thank you for helping..."
The rest of the day goes about with the hammering of nails to board up the windows, Tassira dousing the buildings with water to soak them in proper. Alexander manages to finish work on his sling, stopping just before lights out.
Night shift goes quietly, Svetlana making sure there are plenty of torches up on the ramparts. The moon had been full in the sky, and no signs of the bandits approaching could be seen.
Early in the morning, everyone is awake. The air is still, almost as if in anticipation for the coming bandits. But after about three hours, that all changes.
Rowena rose just before dawn and undertook her ablutions. Once done, she made her way to the trading post courtyard, by the wooden table and benches and sat down as the sun began to its new ascent.
With eyes closed, the priestess quietly lifted her prayers to Old Dead Eye and gave herself to his grace and word. She sat thusly for an hour, speaking to her god and preparing new spells for the day ahead, hoping to be of some value to her new companions.
Once her prayers were undertaken and spells prepared, Rowena rose and stretched her muscles, lifting her arms above her head and toward the blossoming sun. A wondrous smile lit her face.
Looking up at the ramparts, Rowena sought any companion up there keeping watch for the incoming bandits.
Sheoll woke with a jolt, as he often did. The work of the last night had done well to keep the whisper from the back of his head at bay, but no so in sleep. He lay there for a time, staring up at the dark of the morning sky, as the sun was still low, and took several deep breaths. Balance in all things he re recited to himself like a mantra.
Splashing some water on his face, he cracked his neck and did a few stretches, looking around at the preparations. Then, standing, he paced the circumference of the outpost and checked again the work.
Seeing Rowena praying, he stopped and watched in silence. He remembered what the priestess had said about when she heard Deadeye's voice the clearest. He wondered if this place were wild enough...and then absently thought that noone quite knew each other well enough to be a community...at least not yet.
Waiting till she had finished, he approached with a smile, but said nothing, just closed his eyes and nodded to her. He hoped the coming day would be something they all could learn from. Learn more about the land. More about eachother. More about themselves.
Moving up to the ramparts to thank Alexander for the sling he walked across the sturdy old wood and gazed out over the landscape. What mysteries are out there?
Tassira paces nervously about out of sight of the gate, her hands moving of their own accord in patterns resembling the gestures needed to cast spells.
"Fan ar feadh tamaill agus sosa... fan ar feadh tamaill agus sosa... fan ar feadh tamaill agus sosa..." She recites to herself, occasionally varying the inflections of her voice. She's not paying attention to much of anything else around her.
At Sheoll's approach, Rowena returned his smile and politely inclined her head in lieu of verbal greeting. She watched as he climbed to the ramparts.
"Do you see anything, Sheoll? Are they approaching?" The priestess called up to him in a mindful manner so her voice wouldn't carry too far.
The priestess was not aware of Tassira's presence, pacing or Sylvan words, her focus fixed on those on the ramparts and whether they could see impending danger.
As much as Alexander wanted to provide some words of encouragement to Tassira during their shift it never seemed the right moment and the time on the wall seemed to pass mostly in silence as they scanned the distance in the twilight hours.
Alexander having already been awake for the past 2 hours greets everyone else as they rise for the day. He takes the opportunity to pass on the sling and stones promised to Sheoll as he takes over the vigil on the wall wishing him good health in the use of the weapon. May it serve you well. As much as Alexander might have wished to linger longer and talk with Rowena he contents himself with the greeting allowing her the time she needs to perform her morning rituals as Alexander turns to his own preparations.
Finding a quiet spot Alexander begins the complicated process of imprinting mystical patterns in his mind. An hour later he is ready as he closes his spell book. With the preperations for the fight complete Alexander goes to find the morning meal even if it is just a piece of Wandermeal cake. I wonder if Svetlana knows how to prepare the ration? I will need to ask her when the fight is over and things have calmed down. Done with his meal Alexander talks to Oleg to test his mimicry skills with the minor illusion he had prepared.
Rowena had openly (albeit swiftly) acknowledged Alexander's cordial morning greeting. His manners had left a favourable impression on the priestess. Sheoll, too, had stopped and smiled. Even with all the apprehension over the brigands' morning raid, and how they would contain their threat, Rowena kept hope and a positive spirit foremost in her mind and heart. Erastil will provide.
A little impatient of waiting below, Rowena stowed her crossbow (and bolts) across her back and decided to climb up to the ramparts herself to see if she could be of any help to Sheoll. Rowena was not one for idleness.
Cadell woke late, or at least later than most of the others. Not having any paying or spell preparation to do he lay in the hay loft of the stable where he slept for a few minutes just enjoying lying on something softer than the ground. Eventually he got up and packed away his belongings. He fed block and his gelding. The gelding snapped at him and tried to kick when Cadell fed him. Cadell hit the horse with a bucket. Dumb brute!
Cadell belted on his rapier and dagger. Made sure the second dagger in his boot was secure then stepped out of the stable into the yard. He got a quick breakfast of dried apples and waybread with water to wash it down then settled down to wait for the arrivel of their "guests".
As Sheoll and Rowena look out over the low hills to the south, a number of small dots appear. At first they are indiscernible, but within just a few minutes it is readily obvious that they are approaching the trade post, though not as if in much of a hurry. At the rate they are approaching, Sheoll can determine it'd be about 20 or so minutes before they arrive.
Sheoll fixes his gaze on the approaching figures, trying to get a better gauge of how many to expect. After a few moments, he hastily makes his way down from the ramparts and calls the group together, relating to them what he saw.
"They're coming from the south, I think they'll be here in about 20 minutes, so if there are any last minute preparations we want to make, we better get to it."
Tassira nods. "Ready--I'll try to stay out of sight and make sure they get caught in my spell."
She remains within sight of the gate, off to the side and hidden as best she can.
Rowena could not be useful in aiding Sheoll in determining the number by the small dots in the distance. She could barely make out anything.
She remained watching for a few minutes more as Sheoll warned the others, taking cover behind the wooden additions she and Sheoll had worked on the previous day, so she would not be readily seen once the bandits were closer.
Rowena had moved her light crossbow from her back and loaded a bolt (attempting to keep out of sight -- crouching, if possible.)
She waited for the brigands to draw notably closer, listening to her companions and watching where her allies were placing themselves within the trading post interior.
Alexander listens to Sheoll's Intelligence on the enemy and performs the last minute checks on his gear. With his checks completed he finds a good position that provides a clear line of sight to Oleg and Svetlana's house and but not in direct sight of the gate but still able to peek out. I will try to allow the bandits to enter naturally but if they need urging I will use the ghost sounds spell to entice them. Who is going to close or block the gate exit after the bandits are in? Alexander picks out his hiding spot and draws his sword.
Alexander closes his eyes for a moment and calls on Erastil. May I honor myself and my family in the next several minutes Erastil. I know that you frown on such works but I still ask your blessing in this task and ask for your understanding as I raise my sword in defense of a good family in need.
I will need some help to get the gate closed and barred quickly after the bandits enter and we will have to defend the gate after we get it closed. I was expecting eight bandits like the last time they came, but if there only five all the better. It would be good to take one or more of them alive. We can hang them later but the information we can get from them could be useful. Cadell says as he draws his rapier and checks its edge. Master Oleg, the bandits expect you to be here so you can't hide yourself. You need to convince them that everything is the same as it was the last time they were here. Everyone else needs to be out of sight. When they are all inside the gate I want you to call your wife Master Oleg, that will be the signal to close the gate and start the ambush. satisfied with the edge on his rapier he sheaths it and draws takes the dagger from his boot. holding it by the blade ready to throw.
Cadell conceals himself behind the right side of the gate so he can push the gate closed and still have his sword arm free.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |