Jorvik: A Land of Snow & Ice

Game Master DSXMachina

"Awesome." Danny agrees with a smile.

Sal stands. "Let's go then. I've got honey to buy and you guys need to find us a campsite." She finishes her drink and gestures to Danny. "You've got the keys."

"And AWAAAAAAAAAAYYYY we go!" Danny says as he rises from the table.

Kenneth smiles at the waitress, "Any trouble if I leave my bike here for a wee bit? Figure it's best I'm in the car tae navigate, my buddy here's got a poor sense ay direction -- we almost lost him when we stopped for petrol on the way up, ye ken."

"Hah! You didn't almost lose me. You almost left me!" Danny barks a laugh. He throws Ken a look over his shoulder.

"Your just jealous cuz the cashier was flir,... erm, talking to me while you were gassing up that Road Hog of yours!" Danny smirks and hastily follows Sal out the door.

Sal makes sure there's enough money on the table to cover Bren's drink and a good tip for the mess she made with crumbled pork rinds.

"That's "hog," not "road hog," she calls over her shoulder to Danny as she exits. "The only road hog is what you're driving next. And Kenneth's bike is not even a hog, technically."

She waits for the others in the car park, enjoying the feel of the sea breeze pressing her clothes to her body and blowing through her hair enough to cool her scalp. If it weren't for the sea-smell, we could be by Lake Michigan, she thinks, with a sudden, unexpected pange of homesickness.

Danny follows Sal outside. He slowly walks up beside her as she enjoys the sea breeze.

Sal keeps expecting Danny to say,... something. But the pleasant silence drags on. Danny takes a few deep, slow, breaths of the misty breeze. His hands buried in his jacket pockets.

Finally, just as Sal can't stand the tension, sure that Danny is gonna quip,... Something. But Danny merely bumps her elbow with his own. When she looks at him he justs gives her a small smirk and a wink.

Then he turns, and begins walking to the Rover while twirling the key ring around his finger and whistling a Disney tune.

Kenneth eyes Edwyn's car and shakes his head, then offers, "Might be more fun tae take the bike and enjoy the salt air?"

"Closed spaces not your thing?" Edwyn asks, having taken an opportunity to poison the delightful sea breeze with puffs of cigarette smoke. Evidently, his little road trip with Danny gave him the opportunity to resupply. "I could always roll the windows down, let some of that salt in."

Eyeing Kenneth's bike with perhaps a smidgen of envy and wounded pride, he asks, "You ever think about picking up a sidecar?"

Kenneth laughs, "Ach, nae, I'd never want tae ruin the sleek look... or the mileage... Plus, the perk ay nae having one is that any time you've a bonnie lass tae bring somewhere, she's like tae hold on tae you instead ay just gripping the frame..."

He sighs, "We'll take the car, though it's nae exactly a fit for my usual... what did the Monty Python boys call it.... aye, right, my 'idiom'"

Sal makes the climb into the Rover's passenger seat and motions Danny to pull near where the campsite scouting party is discussing vehicles. She lowers her window and leans out.

"We'll meet back here when we're done? What should we do about lodging? We can ask the monks and text you if they have space. Otherwise, if you guys can get us a campsite, we can use the pile of blankets and pillows I brought and sleep in the mini-RV here. Won't be comfortable, but I didn't bring camping gear. Of course, rooms would be better on the off chance either of us can find them." She thinks for a moment. "Maybe it would be better to be at the campground and keep an eye on them at night?"

Shrugging, she asks, "Any preferences? We can always text before committing cash."

Danny grins with clenched teeth as he pulls close to Ken and Ed when Sal directs. He mutters something about 'handles like the Titanic', but his approach is smooth, even if his stop is a tad sudden.

He laughs. "The Great outdoors is great. But room service is better! Let's see what we can find. Although, Yer right Sal. We should probably be close enough to keep an eye on them. IF we can manage it without being obvious."

"I hear you. Not much room on a bike to do much else with a bonnie lass, though," Edwyn replies with a grin, depositing his cigarette in his pocket ashtray. He eyes his compact car with a grimace.

"Not that there's any room in that thing. It's not much of a fit for anything, really."

Kenneth laughs, "It isnae hard tae keep a blanket in the saddlebags for a romantic sit-down 'neath the stars. Plus, a blanket on the ground's a few dozen times more comfortable than anything a body'd be daeing in a car... at least when you're just a hair under two metres tall, anyway."

Kenneth opens the door then sighs, squeezing himself in and sliding back the seat. "Bloody hell, 'tis a good thing I'm nae trying tae wear my sword." Finally after a struggle, he closes the door and says, "Right, I'm in. I may even be able tae get out without needing tae call the Flame tae cut off the door. Let's hit the road."

Through the open window he says, "I'm thinking back here is good, especially if one group's waiting on the other. Plus, it'd be rather useful tae reclaim the Commando and have a vehicle that doesnae have people wondering how many clowns are inside it. As for lodging, a lot ay campgrounds rent caravans and mini-cabins, might be worth asking about one ay those 'afore we decide tae sleep under the stars.. Though, suddenly, 'tis a good thing that Danny needed his binkies this morning. Let's all ask about what's available, we can always pick the best ay the options once we know." He winks and then adds, "I'm told we could even co-ordinate across distances with these magical hand-held devices."

Sal nods. "Right. I'll text..." She checks her phone. "...'Probable Spam' with what we find."

"Watch your backs, OK?" Her eyes linger on Kenneth's during the warning. "See you soon."

Thumbs flying on her phone, she tells Danny, "OK, right out of the lot. And remember, that's like a left in the US. You have driven here, right?" Her hand flies out the window in a goodbye wave to the scouts as the Rover pulls out.

"Of COURSE I have." Danny retorts cheerfully as he pulls out of the lot. And promptly changes over into the correct lane.

"Once or twice. Not TOO long ago."

We're off to seeee the monks!

"Just don't flex any muscles. You might pop the seatbelt," Edwyn warns as he slides into the driver's seat with considerably less difficulty. The Mini does not exactly bend and buckle beneath the bard's weight, but the shift in balance is perceptible. Do wizards have car insurance? he wonders as he adjust

"All right, let's get a move on. Don't want to get stranded on the other side of the causeway. Would not rather not have to row a boat to get back across." Looking over at Kenneth, he adds, "Though I guess you'd be doing the rowing."

Kenneth chuckles, "Aye, 'tis the lot ay a Scot tae have tae dae all the grunt work."

He rolls down the window, places his arm in the empty space then taps the roof, "At least it isnae full ay little technogizmos -- I totally burnt out Trip's satellite radio system a few years back when we ran intae some Red Courters unexpectedly. I dinnae ken if he was ever able tae fix it." The bard chuckles again, then says, "Are we thinking tae do a drive-through ay the campsite tae look for suspcious groups, or should we get out ay the car tea look 'round for something that might be better hidden?"

He pauses, then adds, "Or, would you prefer I close my eyes and give you directions tae where we need tae get tae? Not my preferred choice, mind, I prefer tae blunder intae things on my own and keep my wits about me -- but if there's being something that Brigid wants me tae find, then I can always have her lead us there."

Monk-key business, indeed.

"Ah, right, the magic thing," Edwyn muses, as though that is something he could really forget about. He brings the engine of the car to a low rumble and starts to pull out of his parking spot. "About that, is my phone in any danger of getting fried? It's not exactly state of the art, and I could probably scrounge up another in a pinch, but it could be a problem if we land ourselves in trouble."

As he starts to drive, he leans back in his seat and weighs the options Kenneth lays out. "In my line of work, I depend on any lead I can get, regardless of who or where it comes from. Can't say I've ever followed one from a goddess before, but there's a first time for everything. We're working with a bit of a time limit here, so if Brigid can at least point us in the right direction, then I can't argue."

Kenneth shakes his head, "Nae, it should be fine. Unless it's a super-new-fangled thing and you're standing close tae me and we get ambushed. Basically, if I'm nae throwing magic about, I have tae be in a very high emotional state -- the red courters put us in a situation where we did both. That said, there's a reason I'm carrying an auld flip-phone, and I tend tae recommend my friends get the extended warrantee on their electronic gizmos, just in case."

Kenneth chuckles, "Honestly, I dinnae much like tae dae this - I generally feel like Brigid picked me in part because ay my wits, and that I should be using them. Or, maybe I'm just scared that if I let myself get led around, then I'm giving up any free will I might ay had." He shrugs, then says, "But, still, 'tis a useful parlour trick for emergencies."

With that, the bard closes his eyes and opens himself up to the flame within him, Would hae been easier if we had pieces ay what we're looking for. Could hae just used thaumaturgy.... Still.... He says, "So, let's go. Start by going right. Hopefully I get enow notice ay when tae turn it doesnae end up with us going off the road."

Spending a Fate Point to invoke "Guide My Hand: Spiritual Guidance" to go where I need to be.

Guided as Her Hand

Edwyn is guided by Kenneth, following a tug in his gut and the flicker of flame.

Fire meets air meets water and meets the Earth

They are drawn across the grass and fields, the soft crackle of grass, the clacking of pebbles and sharp smell of the salty seashore. The pair walk until they arrive at the start of the causeway, damp sand beneath their feet.

From behind a small waypoint, a cairn of rocks comes a figure. Lithe and swaying with an internal music, but moving with strength of will and purpose. Her pale flesh, a sharp contrast to the red tattoo's that seemed to climb up her arms to the shoulders, like a living vine. Crimson hair not from a bottle but not the natural Celtic locks, seemingly a deep fire on cold winter nights.

She looks to the pair and strides forwards;
"Herald, Keeper of the Flame - I greet thee." her voice melodious, almost choral as if spoken by more than just herself.
"Twilight man, Bearer of two lives - I greet thee."

Economic Growth

The older lady behind the counter smiles, her grim gets even bigger at the lilting sounds of Sal's American accent. "Oh, how nice my dear. I'll just put these in our labelled carriers." she picks up a phone on the wall near the register and calls.

A few moment later from a beaded curtain the back strides a man, of middling years but definite thinning hair cut short. Though the central plate is bald - however it seems that would have happened soon anyhow. His build at first could be mistaken for the heavier paucity of the creeping of time.

But as he moves to the counter with a smile, you can see that it's a lean barrel build of muscle that is natural to his frame - that it his shoulders were broader he'd look intimidation - instead he looks jovial...but probably not less strong. From him is the soft odour of mead and honey.

"How's it doing?" He asks with a smile.

Kenneth turns to Edwyn and half-shrugs, then bows deeply, "Well met, I bring thee greetings on behalf ay Lady Brigid, and ay my companions." He pauses for a moment, as if to determine the best approach, then adds, "Sadly, I must confess that I am also bringing poor tidings and a warning ay unfortunate things that may be coming tae pass... including an incursion by the Formor, though from your greeting and foreknowledge, I cannae think that is anything ye didnae already ken."

Lore: 5 + 4d3 - 8 ⇒ 5 + (1, 3, 3, 1) - 8 = 5 Who, or what is the lad talking to?

She inclines her head, "I was drawn here to the conjunction of the elements, at this time...at this conjunction. So I hear, the Formor have taken to the land again..."

She gives a soft sigh.

Economic Growth-

Danny manages NOT to reach up and touch his own head when the Monk enters the shop.
(He has nice '80's Hair', but losing it IS one thing he worries about. You know, when not preoccupied with things trying to eat him or otherwise make the world a miserable place.)

The singer grins at Sal, bobbing his head in greeting to the monk.

"How's it goin' Guv? Pleasure to meet you Brother, Bellcher I presume?"
Danny sticks out his hand to shake, smiling large.

"This is Sal, I'm Danny. We're friends of Fothergill. When we told him we were headed out this way he asked if we could look you up." Danny explains cheerfully.

"How is the old goat? Still chasin' skirt?" His voice is warm and rich, his eyes share the mirth.

Shaking Danny's hand warmly, his eyes probe the young man and then flick to Sal.... "If you'd come this way, I can show you the hives?" He points towards the back, which seems like it'll lead to an outside courtyard to the rear of the facility.

Sal can't quite summon Danny's grin, given the seriousness of the situation, but she smiles warmly at the 'old goat' and offers her own hand. "Good to meet you. Please call me Sal. All my friends do. And Fothergill, a ladies' man? You know... I think I can see it."

She nods at his offer. "I'd love a little tour, if you don't mind taking the time? It's really nice of you to offer." Gesturing for him to proceed, she follows where he leads.

Danny notes the strong grip of the monk, and figures that dealing with hives and mead barrels (DO they USE barrels?) must help promote staying in good shape.

"FOTHERGILL?!? Really? You know, I always knew he seemed too quiet! Now that you say it, It makes sense." Danny laughs.

"A tour would be great! Thanks a lot!" Danny adds, not having to fake the enthusiasm. He thanks the lady behind the counter, and gives her a warm smile and a wink before following Bellcher towards the back.

By Her hand..

Kenneth smiles sadly and nods, "Indeed, they have. And I fear that their numbers and strength have grown whilst they were in exile, enow that they seem tae think tae be able tae use what's happening now -- the coming conjunction, and the magic ay some bodies that they stole -- tae tear open the seals locking away some ay their leaders."

He sighs and says, "I dinnae think we're talking bad on the level ay the Eye ay Balor, but Formorian Warlords are quite deadly enow without it. And I'm thinking the last thing this Isle -- or thems that live on it -- be needing is a massive battle betwixt the Formor and the Tuatha, or any ay the auld gods.... so, best we nip it all in the bud before it can come tae pass, ye ken?"

He pauses a moment, then shrugs, "'Twould appear that Lady Brigid believes that you might be some help in that regard, which is why she brought me -- us, rather -- here."

He bows deeply again, "I am Kenneth, Bard and Herald ay Brigid, Guardian ay the Sacred Flame ay Kildare. And this is Edwyn, my companion."

...By Her Hand

The woman with her pale skin looks to Kenneth quizzically, then curtsey's - then gives a nod the Edwyn. "I hope 'tis good to have met thee." She looks to the clouds racing like motorcars across the sky, varying hues of grey against each other. Steel on white.

"But it is not certain, for things are in flux - I too have been drawn here, do you know where we are to next? Or am I to find out the route?" She asks, her soft lyrical voice barely louder than the waves.

She walks to the shore where the waves meet the beech, her feet not leaving a mark, from the waves she picks up a twisted seashell, the length of her fore-arm. "We are to meet the Formor, upon the Isles?"

Economy of Honey

Thus the Brother leads then out back, through a small office - pretty plain and normal at least from the pairs limited experiences in offices (partially those of the eccentric Brits). Upon the walls are a few calendars of historical landmarks and flowers, along with a few rather nice photographs and watercolours.

Bellcher opens the door, put picks up a trio of gloves and hats with soft nets that cover the face. "Put these on, they should give you enough protection...if you feel you haven't enough already." He says jovially handing them out, but there's an undercurrent to his voice.

"I think you'll find this very educational." He adds placing the hat over his head, "Let us introduce you to the hives, they like new folk and familiar faces alike."

Edwyn is slow to respond, distracted as he is by the woman's... knowingness. This isn't what I expected when I asked him to let Brigid take the wheel. I'm starting to think my secrets aren't as well-kept as I thought they were.

"A pleasure," Edwyn replies with a slight bow, after Kenneth finishes with his heralding. With only a crash course on supernatural etiquette, he could only hope that his decorum suffices.

"I think that's the idea," he says, looking to Kenneth for confirmation. "But the Fomor have some human friends that are liable to show up. We were hoping to find out more about them beforehand. Maybe find a way to keep them out of it."

Buzz Kill

Sal gives Danny a wide-eyed look. "Wait... are we going to actually meet the bees? Or is this just for wandering around so no strays get us?" She gives Brother Bellcher an apologetic smile. "I'm a city girl. Honey comes from a little squeeze bottle shaped like a bear."

She watches as the beekeeper dons his gear, imitating how he settles and fits it.

"If the bees are as good at defending themselves as your order is, I have reason to worry," she ventures.

By her Hand on the Beach

She runs a hand through her short hair and sighs heavily, trying to work out what she's going to do.

"Cannot the mortals be arrested, or paid off with stones? They seem to like them." she kicks some of the pebbles on the beach. "But I suppose some information about the fellows could be advantageous. What do you know?" She wonders as see looks at Edwyn.

"Meet the bees? Cool!" Danny says, donning his own headwear. He makes certain to follow their hosts example to wear it properly. And double checks that the netting is pressed down tight where it meets his body.

Danny Chuckles at Sal.
"I just don't know if we should meet the Queen. I'm not really dressed for that." he adds with a wink at Sal.

Danny blinks as his mind catches up with what Sal is surreptitiously trying to say. Or ask,...

"Yeah. I didn't know that modern monks maintained martial orders still? Or is that more of a,... local hobby?" Danny asks with innocent inquisitiveness.

The youth shrugs his shoulders. And casually, if obviously, looks around to make sure no others are close enough to hear them. "We were at the Festival when all of the 'excitement' happened. Sal's right. You guys were awesome."

♪I don't want your money, honey...♫

"A bear! Oh my" he says jovially like a festive Santa; "I thought they ate honey not be squeezed for it! I'm sure they'd object." He continues to lead the pair across a tarmac area with a few sheds and out onto a lawn.

Brother Belcher smiles beneath his hat, his voice drops an octave and some animation; "These should obscure our lips from being read, the sound of the hive should hinder observance of our conversation." he assures the pair as he moves towards a field with a few dozen white wooden boxes stood like monoliths and henges.

The atmosphere is abuzz, not just the soft hum of the hive, but there seems to be a melody. "The Queen will decide if she'll meet you, Daniel. Yes, we are necessary, in this time and place, we are necessary to defend our gate."

"But you need not worry, Ms American. You have the touch of the Lord upon you, whilst our friend her has his mothers eyes." The monk says softly looking between the pair, his eyes falling upon Danny's.

Sal ducks a bee that is zipping close by, on the way to some urgent errand doubtless involving pollen. "The gate is why we're here, Brother. The Formor attack on the Viking festival was the beginning of an attack on the gate, we think. They were looking for people of magical blood that would let them open the gate somehow. And they have human agents nearby, at the Barn at Beale, we think. If they're not there now, they will be soon. Our friends are at the campground now, checking out the situation," Sal murmurs, bending her head near Brother Bellcher while peering closely at the nearest hive.

She takes a quick glance at Danny to see how he's taking the remark on his family resemblance.

Danny stops short, just for a second, at the comment about his mothers eyes. But he recovers quickly, and nods his netted head slightly as Brother Bellcher gestures towards a hive.

"Yeah. I've been hearing that a lot lately." Danny says dryly.

The singer lets Sal explain the situation. (Less chance of embellishment that way.) But can't prevent himself from adding to it,...

"We think we found what they were using as a 'base' to launch that attack from. An old boathouse. Place was a wreck. But we found some jars of your honey there too. It was the only thing that hadn't been eaten, edible or otherwise, in the place." Danny explains, making a face that explains all you need to know about the state of the mentioned boathouse.

She's awful handsy...

Kenneth nods, "Aye. A way tae defuse the mortal situation would... well, allow us tae cut loose and nae have tae worry about what we can dae tae stop the monsters. Less pulling ay punches... and, braw, it also means fewer bodies trying tae shoot us, which is at least a minor plus, tae."

He smiles and says, "So, I guess the question, since we're here, is can you help us? Or, kenning Brigid as I dae, more like the question is, how can I help you?"

"They have an arrangement that'll keep the authorities off their backs, and while I suspect they are the mercenary sort, I highly doubt that we have kind of money to throw them off this job," Edwyn elaborates, wondering if this is the kind of information that matters to her. "We have until midnight to stop them."

Honeywood

From beneath his beekeepers hood, he looks dour; "It is as I was afraid, they see to find access to the seal....and the break the barrier that has held."

With a shake of his head; "We aren't too ready for such an attack, most of my brothers training is incomplete.... I don't know how much you know. However if the Fomour are to attack, in numbers against us - they might be able to breach somewhere vital and unleash some danger."

"Would you be willing to help the Brotherhood?" He asks sincerely.

Hands of the Lady

Taking a deep breath that has obvious results; "I can help push these mortal men from their path, whether through subterfuge or other means if we are stop them." She smiles and beneath the coppery curls there's a golden hue when a beam of sunlight burns through the grey skies. The beach seems to warm up, as you suddenly realise it was cold.

With a grace and confidence of a dancer, she moves, beckons the pair of men as they cross the sand. Seemingly, the trio are stood before the caravan park all of a sudden. But if they consult their memories, images and memories of climbing the cliff face and the bracing wind that invigorated there actions.

From her presence and assuredness, Edwin feels an alien feeling. An old feeling of life and emotion that he forgot he knew about.

Danny makes, 'a face'. Then shrugs.

"What do we know? Usually enough to get us INTO trouble, but not always enough to get us OUT again. Easily." He admits wryly.

"I think it goes without saying that we'll help if we can. It's, uh,... kinda what we do." he grins.

Danny suddenly looks serious beneath the bee-net.
"Worse case scenario, say they did manage to beak the seal,... can you guys plug it back up again?"

Sal can't tell for sure looking through her own bee-net and the one covering Danny's face, but she could have sworn he was about to ask something else,...

Sal nods her agreement, trying not to slap or scratch at imaginary bees crawling on her... at least, she hopes they are imaginary.

"There are only four of us, but we'll help however we can. I hope our friends can find out more about the mortal forces so we know what we're up against. I mean, the very fact they've hired mortals must mean they think they can't succeed alone, doesn't it?"

She waits with interest to hear the answer to the resealable question.