When Amethyst arrives at the stables, he is wearing a broach featuring an owl with amethysts for eyes. ”A gift from an admirer. One of many, no doubt,” he says breezily.
The dancer is dressed practically for the hunt in riding leathers. He is also in his masculine form.
A little after 9am, Aldern walks out of the stable block himself leading two tacked up horses , followed by 3 manservants leading 6 horses and a piebald pony for Melody. ”There you all are! Now, here is my gift to you all – a mount! They are all paid for, so please take them as a thank you for saving my life the other evening.” Aldern leads the two horses over to Vasia. ”Now, I picked out this lovely mare just for you. Isn’t she beautiful, she can be your Champion. Wouldn’t that make a great name?” He smiles with delight at his suggestion. ”Now, would you like a hand mounting?”
----
Aldern eagerly leads the group and his three menservants west over Tanner’s Bridge and along the southern banks of the Turandarok River making sure to spend as much time as he can riding alongside Vasia.
It’s a mile-and-a-half ride to Tickwood Forest, just north of the upthrust limestone escarpment known as the Devil’s Platter. Despite its ominous name, Tickwood is actually a relatively safe woodland, one well known to be the home of wild boars, deer, firepelt cougars, and the rare giant ticks for which the wood is named—but no goblin tribes dwell within its boundaries.
Sabriyya eyes Amethyst's jewelry with a cross between envy and irritaiton, narrowing her eyes and looking over her companions. "I bet it's Charles again. Well we're going to have a word with Chuckie when we get back. Oh yes we are." she says to herself.
She is not dressed appropriately, only wearing her normal skirts and scarves. No one told her what to wear on a boar hunt apparently.
"This one is called Kachino." one of the manservants tells Sabriyya as he hands the horse over to her. The lazy five year old has a snip marking on his face, and his four leg markings consist of a pastern on his right front leg and a coronet on his left hind leg. Reaching out and patting the creature she looks around to see how others are taking this.
What do they expect I am to do on this thing? Ride it and kill a boar?
"Oh brother." she says, rolling her eyes.
Though it's not graceful, she manages to climb into the saddle without embarrassing herself. "Alright, Kachino. you don't kill me, I won't kill you. Deal?"
"Hyah." she says kicking it without anything happens. "Go." she says trying again. With a sigh, she looks up as others are moving off on their horses. "HEY! How do I make this thing work?"
Flailing about, she eventually tugs, kicks and prods Kachino into action. She calls back, "Melody. Keep up dear. It's natural. Everyone knows how to ride a horse."
"That was nice of him." Morgana replies, "He clearly put a lot of thought into your date. Did he serenade you with song and gift you flowers as well?"
-----------------------------
Morgana rides well, although its clear that she hasn't been on a horse for a while. The first few minutes are tentative, but once she stops worrying and gets to know her horse, a lovely palomino she names Arany, she has no trouble and enjoys conversation with everyone around her. She makes sure to give Aldern and Vasia their space.
"So Melody, what's the latest adventure Lady BunBun is getting up to?" She asks. "I saw you had a lot of new goblins..."
Sabriyya tries to get her horse under control, but for some reason it won't slow down. Inevitably Kachino pushes past Morgana and Amethyst all the meanwhile the shaman cursing "No you stupid thing! Stop! I don't want to be in the front! Why are you-" until it wedges himself between Aldern and Vasia's horses before slowing down.
"Oh. Hello." she says, looking up at Vasia.
She leans down and sneers at Kachino [smaller]"Oh. Now you want to slow down. Fine. Yes. Of course."
Looking over at Vasia and Aldern, she says "Hello. Thank you for this horse. It's amazing."
Melody tugs at Swan's sleeve. "I'm... um... sorry, really I am, about the breasts comment yesterday. I've never ever Ever have heard about your god or goddess or um... both?" the nervous halfling babbles a bit. "I'd never mean to offend someone as nice as you have been, so I am very sorry if I did." her eyes are all nervous, worried, and she wants to run away but knows she has to do this.
------------
"What do I do with it?" Melody is actually quite worried having never been on a horse, even a small one like this. "Rose, please don't hurt me, shhhh, I'm light, small, happy to go really slow, or not move at all if that's what you want."
Melody watches the others on how to do this, especially Morgana, since she is unsure how pants as tight as that can even be put on. Her Rose follows along without any real direction which is Lovely.
At the question...
"'Gobos'." the little one corrects "Lady BunBun rarely knows the proper names for things, or she would say she messes them up on purpose, though I don't know why anyone would. I want to tell the story of the town with them, but... you..." she looks at the paladin "... fit BunBun the best cause you use a sword, but you dress much more like Fluffybottom, so... I'm stuck..."
Why? He's being nice and friendly.
"I have some ... uh ... things I've arranged with some of the other ladies."
No, you don't!
"I wouldn't want to be late."
At least let him kiss you goodnight.
'I don't know how good I'd be. I should practice more.'
Practice more? Why would you need ...? Oh.
She takes his arm and gestures forward. "I would be pleased if you would escort me through town."
~~~~~
"That was nice of him." Morgana replies, "He clearly put a lot of thought into your date. Did he serenade you with song and gift you flowers as well?"
"No, we just talked about ourselves and about the Old Light and then he brought me back here." She frowns. "Should he have?"
~~~~~
When presented with the horses Vasia is shocked. "I don't know if I can accept this, Aldern. I don't even know how to take care of a horse. "
"Champion?" she says to herself as she strokes the mare's flank. "Sure, why not. She can be my champion," She glances over at Morgana and how she sits her horse. She attempts that same stance and attitude when it comes time for her to mount and it seems to flow naturally.
At least it does until Sabriyya comes rudely intruding between the two of them attempting to have a polite conversation.
"What?" Vasia whispers at the woman. "Was there no wine available to spit on me?"
Sabriyya holds her finger up and points at Vasia "Alright look-soon-to-be Lady Foxglove, that was an accident. I would never purposely spit wine on someone in public, that's just rude.
Are you going to hang that over my head forever? What do you want, another apology. Fine. Fine."
Looking into Vasia eyes, she says with a straight face "Please. Vasia. Forgive me. I did not mean to spit wine in your face. It was an ac.ci.dent."
"Sabriyya gets to be Princess Polli" the halfling says lightly to the Lady of the Best Hats, as she watches her friend.
Vasia's eyes narrow at the woman next to her. With an apologetic nod at Aldern and not considering either her or Sabriyya's level of horsemanship, she grabs the woman by the elbow and trots their horses up ahead of the rest of the group.
"Now listen," she begins, not releasing the shaman's arm. Her voice takes on a sharp edge. "I don't know what I did that made you decide to pick on me, but I've had about enough of being the target of rude pranks and childish jokes. I've put up with it enough. I've turned the other cheek for years. I've laughed at mud in my hair and falder leaves in my small clothes. I've ignored pee in our water bucket and moon blood on my nice dress. With people spitting wine in my face and rudely interrupting a conversation with someone that seems to genuinely like me. It. Stops. Now." The ends of her hair twist around as if blown by a breeze, but her lips quiver as if she's about to cry. "If you have an issue with me then be an adult and say it to my face."
She holds Sabriyya's gaze even after reaching up and wiping at the tears brimming in her eyes.
Melody tugs at Swan's sleeve. "I'm... um... sorry, really I am, about the breasts comment yesterday. I've never ever Ever have heard about your god or goddess or um... both?" the nervous halfling babbles a bit. "I'd never mean to offend someone as nice as you have been, so I am very sorry if I did." her eyes are all nervous, worried, and she wants to run away but knows she has to do this.
Amethyst smiles down at Melody. ”There was no offense taken. I am happy to educate you on Arshea, and on their worship. I am sure there is much I can teach you.”
Melody's worry turns to a beaming (and relieved) smile "Yes, please, I'd like to know more. In the orphanage, they only really spent time on Erastil, cause of the family part. Pray to him and he might, well you know.. He didn't but it wasn't his fault, not many halflings in town and humans like humans." she prattled on a bit, content to do so.
Sabriyya looks around to make sure she's the one being addressed "Wait a minute, wait a minute. Are you talking to me with all of this? I've done none of those things to you! Look. Melody made a joke that was making fun of Aldern hiding instead of helping during the fight. It was damned funny. I laughed and couldn't hold my drink in. It came out and hit you. I've apologized like seventeen times now. It was an accident. I don't know why you think I'm targeting you specifically."
"Do you not like me or something? You think I'm picking on you, is that it? I don't know how else to say it. Look. I'm sorry, for the love of the Gods I'm sorry. If you can't forgive me because you think everyone is out to f%%& you over. Great. I can't help you with that. I've done none of those things. I laughed when I shouldn't have and now you're crying all over your horse. For the love of-"
Blowing out a breath, exasperated, she tries to calm herself from getting more worked up. "I have no issue with you Vasia. I think you're a little naive with this Lord Fox-in-your-pants fellow, but no, I have no issue with you at all. I've not pranked you or peed in your drinks. And I swear to the Gods if you bring up the wine thing again, I'm going to lose my shit."
She holds up her hand and says "You know what? Fine. F@~~ it. Forget it. " she kicks her horse several times and moves off ahead, in the wrong direction of course. She curses loudly as she tries to change direction.
Let me out. I'll deal with her!
"No. I think she was telling the truth."
Truth my arse! Did she 'accidentally' spit wine on anyone else? No! Did she 'accidentally' charge her horse right through the middle of anyone else's conversation? No! She's been targeting you! Just like those little monsters in no-name-ville!
"No. And now not only do I look naive, but now everyone sees me as an overly sensitive fool as well. I shouldn't be here."
She looks back towards Aldern and the others watching the raised-voice exchange, but her gaze is more strongly drawn to the confident woman with a fine hat. But she doesn't look that way, sure that she'll see nothing but judgement.
Don't fall apart on me now girl!
"I can't do it anymore, Bunica. I'm not strong enough," Vasia mumbles as the tears begin to flow in earnest.
Rubbish! Vasia, you are stronger than anyone I've ever met. You've carried through things that would crush weaker souls. There's a pillar of strength within you that has never bowed and it never will. Just depend on that. It'll carry you through.
The raven-haired girl sniffs and brushes at her eyes. She takes several breaths and by the time she's finished, Aldern and the rest have caught up to where her horse is standing. It begins moving along with the others by habit.
"So, Aldern, have you hunted in the Tickwood before?" she asks in a trembling voice.
Aldern looks over Vasia, clearly worried that something has upset her, but doesn't mention anything out loud in company.
"Why I have never had the pleasure before Vasia. I have only been on a couple of boar hunts near Magnimar before but unfortunately, we never had the luck of finding anything! I hope that Champion is treating you well, is she to your liking?" Aldern asks with concern.
"Ah yes. I've found the elusive boar tracks over here!" Sabriyya calls out, locating some movement in the brush nearby as a couple of squirrels rustle about. "These boar are much smaller than I had imagined in my head." she remarks, seeing something but not clearly enough.
Just then, two squirrels dart from the brush and dash up a tree nearby. Looking left and right for the boar, she frowns when it doesn't materialize. "The boar scared them out and ran the other way. Clearly." she says, trying to cover her blunder.
Melody is watching the people not the path, MUCH more interesting. "why do we even need to be hunting boar, we have free dinner at the dragon." she says aloud to herself.
"Yes, she's a lovely creature," Vasia replies, looking away. Hopefully, if she pretends to be looking for boar tracks no one will notice her puffy, red eyes.
Vasia!
It finally dawns on her what she's actually looking at.
Those are ...
"Excuse me, Aldern, but aren't these boar tracks?"
--
Aldern squints as Vasia points towards the tracks. "Why yes, I think they might just be! You've done it Vasia, we may go home victorious tonight!" He says with glee. Just as he says that, you hear a rustle in the bush in the distance, and out dashes a boar!
Aldern calls out "Stop the boar!" and sets his horse off to a canter.
"'Gobos'." the little one corrects "Lady BunBun rarely knows the proper names for things, or she would say she messes them up on purpose, though I don't know why anyone would. I want to tell the story of the town with them, but... you..." she looks at the paladin "... fit BunBun the best cause you use a sword, but you dress much more like Fluffybottom, so... I'm stuck..."
"Well why can't Fluffy bottom be good at fighting this time?" Morgana asks. "Falayna teaches that girls can be feminine and fight at the same time. There's nothing wrong with dressing nicely, and there's nothing wrong with being able to fight as well as a man. It's wrong that society tries to stop us from doing both." She manages to not sound excessively preachy this time. "So maybe Fluffybottom can be brave and do some fighting, just for this story?"
-------------------------
Morgana watches the altercation ahead and is just about to reach out to get Vasia's attention when the woman spots the object of their quarry. At once the spirit of the chase rises high and Morgana spurs Arany forwards, flashing a smile at Vasia as she rides past. Unfortunately Arany does not have the same hunting spirit Morgan does.
Glad of the distraction, Vasia eyes the quickest way through the undergrowth. "This way!" she shouts out.
Alright, just need to leap that fallen tree and you're upon it.
Sabriyya says, jabbing her horse with her feet. The animal responds by walking up to the fallen log and ... stopping, dead in the middle of the path.
"What?! No! Go! Jump! Move! Hyah! Somethin!" the shaman says, kicking and bouncing on the saddle wildly to no avail.
Melody gives Morgana a look at her subtle reluctance to be BunBun, "Have you... seen any of my shows?" she explains anyway "Lady Tessa BunBun always gets into trouble, lots of trouble, bad bad bad trouble. In the Gobos Attack The Town story, she gets captured by a bunch of the little green folk..." the halfling paints a scene that is in fact quite scandalous, but just shy of TOO MUCH. At least in her own mind. "... and then she thrusts her sword into the offending organ and gets away." she mimics the thrust and the gobo scream, before settling. "I understand not wanting to be BunBun, I think she is amazingly brave... Who then... Sweets could be I guess, Princess Polli doesn't have to be there, she's a side character. Tessa is one of the three main heroes so has to be."
Melody's pony, Rose, is a follower and a little near sighted so a fuzzy running rump of a boar is just as good as one of the horses fuzzy rump so she takes off at the beast like Melody to honey covered scones.
With some luck and encouragement, Melody and Vasia take off in close pursuit of the boar. Morgana, Sabriyya and Amethyst catch up, albeit less gracefully than the other two with Aldern and his men following closely behind. Unfortunately, the boar runs through a thicket of sharp and tangled brambles!
Giving up on grace, Sabriyya just plows through the way ahead, blasting past everyone in a gallop that she likely can't control.
"There's a gap here!" Morgana calls, pointing into the thicket.
Vasia ignores the others crashing through the brush behind and directs her steed under some low-hanging greenery. Ducking low, she can hear the boar just up ahead.
Amethyst and Melody follow closely behind through the thicket, dodging the brambles as they go. The boar dashes out through the brambles through a muddy clearing, its legs slipping and sliding precariously as it makes its desperate attempt at escape.
Arany is not a jumper, as the log proved, but the palomino is immensely powerful and simply charges through the mud and closes with the boar!
Seeing the locations of dryer ground, Vasia directs her Champion around the worst of the mess to join Morgana facing the boar.
Only then does it dawn on her that she's facing a wild board.
A. Wild. Boar.
You should have loosed me earlier.
"Too little, too late."
Morgana and Vasia are in spitting distance from the exhausted boar, as it turns to face you, clearly deciding it can't run any further.
Morgana may be able to ride, but she has no illusions about her ability to fight from the saddle so she slides out of it and sets herself against the boar with her gauntletted hand out in front as she reaches for her sword with the other.
Sabriyya doesn't dismount from the horse as much as fall off onto her rump with a thud as she tries to reach for her crossbow.
Not bothering to dismount, Vasia reaches out with her feelings and a mud-covered rock sails through the air towards the cornered boar.
"" Melody yells behind them all as she is bounced to and fro on her catering Rose.
Catching the boar off guard, Morgana advances, longsword in hand.
"How do I stop!" Melody shrieks, but Rose stops thankfully once she reaches the other horse. Somehow she managed to draw her dagger and throw it at the beast from her high perch before sliding down.
Crossbow in hand, Sabriyya raises it only to pause as she sees the true warriors around begin to engage. Deciding that perhaps she could assist them instead of try to capture a boar herself, she blesses the party before raising her weapon once again.
-16
Amethyst attacks with her bladed scarf.
The boar grunts as Morgana, Melody and Vasia harass it so quickly in succession. As Amethyst attacks, it squeals loudly and blood comes gushing out of its belly. It still stands but is swaying on its feet. It swings its head, attempting to gore Morgana in front of it.
Aldern and his men turn up late to the party and he calls out from afar, "Nice dodge, I have to say!"
"Thank you!" Morgana replies, slashing forwards again as she sidesteps to catch the boar between two blades.
Melody's thrown dagger flies back towards the boar at Vasia's behast, her brow furrowed in concentration. However, it limply plops to the ground near its owner.
Melody covers her head as her dagger comes flying back at her. She's gives the closest approximation of a Glare that she is capable of to the lady that throws apples with her mind. Though it might just be haunted, she doesn't really know Where that dagger truly came from.
At the moment, she ignores it, and darts up to the grunting mass of tusks and muscle, hoping to slide up to a blind spot.
And fails miserably.
Sabriyya is standing on the crown near Vasia as he dagger falls to the ground nearby. She looks down at the dagger, up at Vasia and down at the dagger again before turning back to the boar and firing her crossbow at it.
Amethyst slices the boar again.
Through a whirlwind of attacks, this boar never stood a chance. Amethyst makes the final blow by slicing the boar's throat as blood spurts out in front of it and it collapses to the ground.
"Oh bravo!" Aldern calls, manoeuvring his horse through the undergrowth next to Vasia. "Wasn't that so exciting? It looks like you have all earned dinner for the whole of Ameiko's tavern this evening!"
"That was very exciting," Vasia says as she catches her breath. She glances down at the dagger she was trying to fling and then at Melody. She slips from her horse and walks over to pick it up. Wiping it on her skirt first, she presents it to the halfling.
"I'm sorry about that," she says meekly. "I was trying to hit the boar, but I'm still learning better control."
Sabriyya was going to comment on the fallen dagger that flopped from Vasia's hands, but given their prior exchange she was done with the girl for the time being. Instead, she moves towards Melody and looks over her, roughly prodding and poking "Are you injured? Where did it get you? What hurts?"
"Oh bravo!" Aldern calls, manoeuvring his horse through the undergrowth next to Vasia. "Wasn't that so exciting? It looks like you have all earned dinner for the whole of Ameiko's tavern this evening!"
"I trust you've already considered how we're getting it back to the tavern?" Morgana asks. "I don't mind fighting things, but butchering them is not in my skill set."
The paladin wipes the blood from her blade and joins the gathering of women. "That was bracing wasn't it?" She says with a smile. "I didn't see anyone take a hit though, thank Falayna."
Quick! Pretend you hit your head.
"What? Why?"
Trust me! Just do it!
Unsure as to where this is going, Vasia reaches a hand up to her head. "Ow. I think I hit my head on a branch back there." Her tone is more confusion then pain.
"What?" Sabriyya says, looking over at Vasia. Having stood next to the spiritualist the entire time, she most certainly did not see her hit her head.
Ah. A lie. For more attention from Lord Foxglove most likely.
"Let me see it." the shaman demands rather than asks as she moves over to inspect "the injury". She tells everyone to stand back to give her some space so she can talk to Vasia without being overheard.
As she closes the distance, she whispers in Vasia's ear as she looks through her hair roughly "If you like, I can club you over the head so you can actually be injured. Maybe then it would knock some sense into you. I can't believe you play the 'Oh pity me' card on me to make me feel bad and then sit here lying for attention. Unbelievable."
Pulling back and rolling her eyes as she lets go, she puts on false concern and turns to face the group, making sure to catch Aldern's eye as she declares loudly "She might be concussed. We should get her back to the Rusty Dragon to rest." before turning her back on her injured patient to walk off, shaking her head.