Brom finds Cappi at some point when things have settled down, "You know my friend, ve are now blood-brothers, as ve have shed blood from zhe same veapon in battle. It is an honor, Very Small Man Cappi." and holds out a large hand to shake with.
Rufus is silent but for an equally boisterous acknowledgment of the other party's safe return & a kind of grim amusement at Brom & Cappi's descriptions.
As the new force is apparent within the Post, Rufus' previously easy demeanor hardens until it is shown to be composed of rightful guardsmen, whereupon it shifts to a slightly less wary posture. At mention of the name Garess & Winifred's reaction his attention comes to a sharp focus.
"Hm... How to put it..." Castor reflects upon Will's question, taking his holy symbol off of his neck and holding it in his hands.
"There are many perceptions of Desna, perhaps as many as the Starsong has clerics and followers.
"To some, she is a protector of the oppressed, a liberator of the slaves and the captives, a great butterfly come in the dark of the night to free a man from his chains and allow him to pursue his rightful path.
"Others would call her a guiding star, shining to lead the weary traveler to a safe haven where he may rest for the times to come, and, in the morning, show him the road he needs.
"To others still, Desna is fortuitous coincidence, the gold coin found on the street in times of great hunger and the well-timed warning that allows one to avoid the mortal arrow.
"It is not truly my place to see what she is or is not, but to me, before anything else, Desna is a promise that, wherever I go, a good soul is looking out for me and my companions."
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Will nods as Castor lists off some of the views of Desna. "Interesting. Would you mind showing me some of your prayers and rites? After Brom and Cappi's brush with death, how fleeting mortal life can be has become even more painfully obvious and while I know all goodly gods care about those who act as they would, I'm debating trying to forge a more personal connection to one. So a good soul is looking out for me and my companions as you put it"
At Winifred's question the man suddenly tenses up, realizing that his past has once again come to haunt him and his shame is being thrown in his face by the fellow noble. He launches to his feet, hand on the longsword at his belt, and sneers at the small woman, "Frankly, Lady Winifred, my past affairs are none of your business nor concern. Take a care to realize where you are. This is not Silverhall and your title means nothing in these lands." His stance suggests that despite the crowd gathered in the area, he has no qualms about coming to blows over his past. "If you require anything in the from of my assistance or that I my men I am here to serve, but do keep your powdered nose out of places it does not belong."
Theod, studying his maps, hears the commotion and the mention of his family name. Walking over just in time to see Kesten stand abruptly he holds his hands up "Kesten is it?" he bows his head slightly "I am Theod Garess, I don't think we have had the pleasure to meet."
Trying to diffuse the situation he sticks out his hand to shake, stepping in front of Winifred. "I'm sure my friend here meant no ill." He glances back at Winifred briefly before returning his attention to Kesten.
"My my, aren't we touchy?" Winifred says with a smile as she takes a step back right when Theod steps in front of her.
"I hear she has a child now, come to think of it, he was born not too long after you left, odd. You know though, it's a shame, a woman like her having to raise a child all by herself, especially in her position, the boy probably barely gets enough to eat." Winifred wasn't sure if this was true or not, but it was likely, she'd heard a story or two where such a thing had happened, and it always ended badly for both sides, but worse for the one not so noble.
we go.
Rufus' eyes tighten at Winifred's allusion of abandonment on the part of the mercenary commander, but he refrains from adding fuel to the coming conflagration.
Kesten snarls loudly at the remark from the sorceress and leaps to his feat. In a motion that is awe-inspiring to behold he produces his sword from its sheath faster than most eyes can follow, spinning it on its axis through the air until it lands solidly within his grasp. The blade flashes out in an arc as he drives his shoulder into Theod, pushing him aside. The tip of the sword comes to rest at eye level to Winifred, mere centimeters from her nose.
"Another word from your lips M'Lady and your family will mourn the day they let you leave the hall. I don't know who you take me for but I am not some toy for you to spend idle time with. Press the issue again and I will see you buried before the sun sets."
Theod takes Kestens shoulder and falls to ground on his rear. He sits there as the events unfold What in the world is she thinking...
Winifred looks at the mans sword which nearly decapitated her and down the blade to see the man on the other side of the blade nearly fuming with rage.
Winifred holds her hands up, not so much in fear but in disappointment. "I'd hate to think that you'd attack a defenseless woman over words, Sir Kesten, what would your men think of such an assault?" This one, he takes things a little too seriously, and it seems that either I hit a touchy area or is he quick to temper, perhaps both. Curious, I wonder what actually happened between him and this Tania.
Intentionally & purposefully raising his spread, empty, hands; Rufus calmly interposes himself between Winifred & Kesten. "I believe we would all be best served were we to take a few steps back from this matter."
Humans are an interesting species. I've studied them as foes for a year and yet they can still surprise me, like this. The ranger makes sure his bow is at hand, but does not reach for it yet. Instead he looks for the reaction of the other men that are with the offended man as Sir Karse steps into the picture.
"My apologies, Will, but for obvious reasons, I think it would be best if we postponed this discussion."
Castor leaps to his feet and rushes over to the altercation, wide-eyed at the drawn blade.
"What is the meaning of this?" He demands to know, though a fumbling of his words betrays his meekness in the face of such a situation. "Are we not all on the same side here? Must we truly deal things through blades rather than words?"
Not without hesitation, Castor follows Rufus's lead and stands by, ready to hear out both sides of the story.
Not taking his eyes off of Winifred, the man addresses Sir Karse, "Well then manling, if you are so concerned with this whelp's well being you had better see to it that she gets a lesson in manners, quickly. I do not appreciate the remarks nor the comments about my own personal matters, nor do I find her familiar tone acceptable. It was not me who came to you offering underhanded remarks that were so obviously aimed at provoking a response. So here it my response. She will retract her comments and be about her business, speaking them no more. Or, you can act as her second and she can watch you bleed for her own childish behavior."
"I may have said something that he found offensive, that much is obvious." Winifred explains. "But it's nothing that I'm sure he hasn't heard countless times. This man has little reason to call himself Garess any longer, yet he still holds the name dear." Winifred sighs, looking back at Kesten. "It seems my Chelish blood has gotten the better of me once again. I will speak no more of this issue, but I will not take back what I have already said, your men may hold you in high regards, but I do not." She says, walking away.
"Unacceptable", the grim faced man replies, and shakes his shoulder forward, sending the buckler at his upper arm sliding down to his wrist. Speaking again to Karse the man continues, "It would seem that your charge's pride will be your undoing. Am I right to assume that you would stand in her place?"
He lets the question hang for a moment, then adds "If so, draw steel or release that peasant flogger of yours so we can be about this so that I can return to my business."
"" Rufus bellows. Batting the sword out of his way, he prods Kesten with his finger. "You are correct in that this," indicating their surroundings with a wave of his arm, "is not court."
"We have no time for petty games of word-daggers or bruised egos here!"
Turning to Winifred's departing backside, he continues. "That writ will only serve you as far as the Swordlords & Port Ice will it so. Bear in mind that he was sent with over a dozen men at his back, while you were sent by them with naught but what you could carry."
"Lad, you confuse me with someone who actually cares what your opinion is in this matter. She has been called out. Either she will respond as is due, or someone in her stead, or those Lords who scribed those very writs will know exactly who is representing them in these lands. Cowards and na'er-do-wells with a bit more lip than is good for them."
"Fine." Winifred mutters, turning around to face Kesten.
"Thinking about it now, you look nothing like the Kesten Garess I know, I must have mistaken you for someone else, forgive me." She says loud enough for Kesten's men to hear.
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"I fight for the Lady, yes. Let my sacrifice stand for her actions, and hold her not accountable. It is not my wish to fight you, but if there is no other way to mend your damaged pride, then so be it. I would make but one request..." He turns to address Winifred. "A token from the Lady, that I might carry it in her honor."
"I am no coward, nor a ne'er-do-well. I am Karse, loyal representative of House Orlovsky. Remember my name." Karse removes his flail from his belt and centers his shield on his arm.
"Will you be appeased?" Rufus requests of Kesten at Winifred's grudging apology. "Or will you reveal yourself the petty one in all of this?"
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At the talk of sacrifice, Will pipes up, "Nobody is dying today, not Kesten, not Karse. You people can fight for your honor and all that, but when your opponent falls, it's done. I, and probably Castor, will patch you both up. No sense in doing the bandits work for them." Will then pulls out his drum, and starts working on a song to commemorate this foolish battle.
As this continues Den makes his way onto one of the towers to "get a better view of the action". If one of the siege weapons has been repaired he will choose a tower containing it, so that it could not be used against his team.
The man watches as the woman walks away, throwing her comment over her shoulder, "Have no doubt, I am who I say I am." and he lets it go at that. Sheathing his sword he looks to Karse, "Put away your tools Orlovsky, you need not die on this day. Heed what I said, you have a job ahead of you if you are going to keep that one alive for long."
The man situates himself again at the fire, keeping an eye on the group and waving a hand at Rufus dismissively. "Settled and done, and it shall trouble me no more."
"Then I thank you. Do I take it aright that you & your force are now the due protectors of this outpost?"
Castor stands by and watches as the situation calms down, listening in to make sure everything goes fine.
Kesten looks up at Rufus and responds, "That would be correct, until such time as we are relieved. The Lords of Restov want to protect their investment here, hence our presence. It was a good thing, dealing with those locals, but I wouldn't be shocked if more turned up. With this whole Stag Lord thing brewing in the region I'm one to wager that there is more to come."
Brom finds Cappi at some point when things have settled down, "You know my friend, ve are now blood-brothers, as ve have shed blood from zhe same veapon in battle. It is an honor, Very Small Man Cappi." and holds out a large hand to shake with.
"Blood Brothers?" Cappi replies, his eyebrows raised and a smirk creeping across his face. Narrowing his eyes now, he continues in a hushed tone. "What does that mean? Do I get your strength? 'Cause if we're dealing soundly, I'm not sure a chit like me could handle it." He pauses, the smile broadening. "But if a swinging hackum like you had my wits and speed, or a cunning shaver like me had your brute strength and tenacity... well damn. We'd be kings, wouldn't we?"
Cappi holds out his hand as well, which is completely enveloped by the scarred barbarian's own. "Kings, brother." he quips with a toothy grin.
Castor motions for Will to join him and heads to where Cappi is inspecting the group's finds.
"I could not presume to tell you what rites to use, Will. Each follower has his own rites, each temple its own ways. Desna stands for freedom, far from our faith the idea of telling people how to believe. So long as you keep a good heart and an eye for the oppressed, do as you feel is right, and I am certain Desna will be content with you."
Castor takes a seat near Cappi's own and cracks a smile at the sight of the reclaimed goods. "It all certainly adds up, does it not?"
Castor focuses on the objects one by one, paying particularly close attention to the jewelry and the most elegant objects, listening for any traces of magical auras.
Theod stands up from his, surprised seat on the ground, dusting off his trousers and slicking back his hair with his hands. I'll think twice the next time I try and diffuse a situation, maybe best I stick to my maps...
He shakes his head as he walks off back toward the table he had his maps laid out on. After spending a few moments with them he'll seek out Oleg to relay what they've scouted out and ask him if he knows anymore about the insect creature they came upon and if it is common to the local area.
At Theod's obvious disheartened expression, Rufus claps him on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it. As a squire to Lord...
well, as a squire one of my tasks was to see to it that disparate fighting men might find a means to come to an accord, particularly when their blood was up." Reflecting ruefully, he continued. "'Tis easier to do when it's not your blood of course. Perhaps you might take the opportunity to sup with your kinsman. I'm told family is a powerful thing."
Following him to speak with Oleg, Rufus made his own inquiries of the trader. "That mad-fellow you sent us off to was quite the find! Who usually has dealings with him?"
Away from the others, Winifred explains to Sir Karse.
The group disperses somewhat after the confrontation, each going about their personal business or side conversations. Cappi sits at the table outside and has a look at the combined wealth of the two groups and gets a few solid figures in his head about the value. The strangest thing he finds is the liquor, which is not something common to this area, being of Qadiran origin.
Oleg smiles at Rufus' question, something rarely done by the man, and responds, "Bokken is a treat I tell you, how was his bum? Still pale despite the exposure to the elements?" and he gives a chuckle. "He comes around from time to time, mostly when he needs to do some trading for supplies. Always pays me in potions, which are actually quite popular among the traveling hunters and trappers of the area. He's good people, just a bit batty."
At Theod's question he turns to the man and says, "Can't say I've heard of any, it could have been an oddity in these parts. That big you say? Impressive feat. I am beginning to think you all might just be what we need around here after all." he thinks for a moment and lowers his voice, "Any chance you happened upon a ring when you tracked down those bandits? Their leader, that Kessle lady or whatever, stole Svet's wedding ring the last time she came, and I'd love nothing more to get it back. I'd be willing to offer something up for its safe return if you could manage it."
Cappi shares with Castor and Will his best estimates of the value of each item. Most are rather commonplace and easy to assess, assuming they aren't magical. Cappi licks one of the earrings, "Nope, not magical as far as I can tell."
The wooden box filled with spirits is another thing entirely, though. A fan of alcohol himself, Cappi is intrigued but ultimately mystified. He recognizes it as Qadiran in origin, but knows little beyond that. "Don't suppose we have anyone with knowledge of the region, do we? Will, you boast a smattering of ecclectic facts right?"
Cappi also slowly lifts the lid on the music box, slowly smiling at the humble tune that tinks away within. Turning to the others he adds, "I imagine I may build a reputation for being greedy... which altogether is likely an accurate one. But I'd rather hang on to this thing then sell it for funds should it be heading in that direction."
"I don't suppose you've any reinforced Gauntlets available?" Rufus queries. "Castor tore his hands to ribbons trying to pick berries for Bokken & I thought I might get the Elf something to protect his fingers in the future."
Oleg nods to Rufus and heads to his storeroom, emerging a few minutes later with a pair of rough iron gauntlets that would be suitable for a set of plate, fashioned a century ago. "Trapper found these in a stream a few miles south, traded them in for some rope. If you all can find a use for them they are yours, free of charge." as he passes the metal gloves over to Rufus.
Theod nods "Thanks, that should be of use to us. As to the ring I'm not sure, but I can find out. Before I go, any new news of the area? Any other travelers that stopped through while we were away?"
Oleg shakes his head, "Just the soldiers and the priest, its been pretty quiet other than that. Kurgan is off to Restov with the bandit prisoner to turn him over to the authorities there. I sent a load of goods along with him and am hoping for a quick return."