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Bryn grunts as the thugs thrust goes home, and makes another cut at the first man he engaged knowing he needs to low the odds against him guickly. His blade again slips past the mans guard inflicting another wound. Bryn steps back further from the fire trying to open space for the others to engage the foe.
Seeing the game is over Bryn cuts at the nearest of the Baron's bullies with his bastard sword slashing him across the chest, then steps away from the fire manuevering for room to fight.
I thought we were supposed to meet up with the duke on the otherside of Laughing Hollow if we don't show up he may wonder what happened to us and come looking. Bryn says giving Aldras a sharp look.
Bryn readies his sheild to in case more arrows are fired at them, but leaves his sword in its sheath. He lets Aldras try to bluff his way past the men guarding the trail.
Bryn dismounts and gives Breggel a hand climbing into his saddle. You know I think they have a mounting block around here somewhere He says with a grunt as he hoists the armored dwarf into the saddle. He then remounts and waits for Master Darktreader to give the command to head out.
As soon as the Duke leaves Bryn sets to work readying the horses. Two horses for everyone riding with Kelson Darktreader. One saddled ready to ride and one remount. He straps his pack to one of the horses and swings up into the saddle.
Who is Kelson Dartreader?
I will go your grace. Bryn says rubbing sleep from his eyes. He stretches and then leans his bastard sword against one of the stalls to begin putting on his armor.
Bryn spends the two months working in his parents workshop, and making trips to the various clay deposits nearby on the river to dig clay for the workshop. His mother makes him start helping her at their stall in the market place on market days. She makes a point to introduce him to several young ladies and their mothers. It is clear she is looking to find him a wife.
If I only pay 50 then you only make 16 after the cost of the materials. 16 gold peices isn't enough for eleven days of work Ulan. Byrn says when Ulan tells him how much he wants to be paid. We are freinds and I appreciate the gesture but I wouldn't be much of a freind is I took advantage of you like that. I will pay you 75 that way I get a decent discount, and you actually make some money. What do you say? He offers the dwarf his hand to seal the deal.
As Breggel, Ulan, and Mike are leaving the Happy Cow Bryn calls out to them from across the square. Breggel, Ulan I have been looking for you. He says as approaches. You weren't at your shop so I thought I would try the Happy Cow. Hello Mike. I was actually hoping to talk to you Ulan, about getting a chain shirt. I want something a little stronger than the militia's leathers, and grandfather always says there's nothing like dwarven steel.
Bryn stays out of the discussion about the prisoner and on guard for further trouble the entire trip back to Cromm's Hold. When they get back he helps the survivors unload the horse carrying their stolen belongings. Bryn volunteers to take the first watch over their prisoner that night. When relieved by one of the others he gratefully accepts some of the offered food.
So what are we going to do with the prisoner when we get back to Daggermark? Bryn asks as he packs up the treasure and gets ready to march. Byrn has decided to stay near the front of the group incase they run into trouble on the way back.
Once everything is loaded up on the horse Bryn takes one more look around to make sure he didn't miss anything.
Hello! Whats this Bryn asks noticing a spot of darker earth under the tree. I think there may be something buried here Bryn uses one of the broken javelins to dig in the spot of recently turned earth. A little digging produces a heavy leather pouch. Here! look at this. Bryn call the others over to see what he found. He lays his cloak down and dumps the bag out on to his cloak.
Bryn begins loading the horse with the items that are to be returned to the Cromms hold survivors. I am glad we brought this thing with us. This is a lot to carry back.
Bryn looks over the piles that the Lizardfolk were sorting through. He picks up one of the heavy sheilds and looks it over. Do you all mind if I keep this? he asks the rest of the group. I suppose we load all this stuff on the horse and take it back. The survivors at Cromm's hold will need it.
As the lizardfolk turns to run Bryn makes another attack killing it.
Ow! Damn you. Bryn yells as the lizardfolk scores a hit. He attacks again but the lizardfolk is again able to interpose it's sheild between it's body and the sword.
Bryn's next cut makes it past the lizardfolk's guard drawing blood.
Bryn steps forward over the body of the lizardman he killed and presses his attack. Turning to cut at the lizardfolk on his left. The flashing steel is met by the lizardfolk's raised sheild.
Daggermark! Bryn yells as he advances on the Lizardfolk. He attacks the first lizard man he comes to with his bastard sword.
Bryn draws his Bastard Sword and advances into the Lizardfolk camp. He tries to spot the leader of the group intending to make it his first target but is unable to distinguish one lizardfolk from another. frustrated he dicides to go instead for the lookout and leaps up onto the rock next to the lizardman.
Hopefully we won't have too much further to go. Bryn says. He is still nervous about the lizardfolk and keeps his hand near the hilt of his sword for several minutes after they depart. Maybe I should walk closer to the front of the group from now on, I don't like having all of you in between me and any foe we come across.
Bryn doesn't move fast enough and gets caught by a burst of flame. He gets a painful burn on his left arm. When the lizardfolk appear he reaches for his sword but doesn't draw when he sees the others are not preparing for combat. He keeps his hand on the grip of his sword though and watches the Lizardfolk carefully. He almost draws when the big lizardfolk hops down from the rise and approaches them. How do we know they are telling the truth he says softly to Mike.
Bryn move forward and throws his shortspear at the frog that attacked Breggel.
20 hours! wow brave guy. I never took more than 16. So Drelsh is getting eaten by the frogs? Or killed by the lizardfolk?
Bryn brings up his sheild defensively and has his shortspear ready in his hand if the frogs make any hostile movements. Being at the back of the group makes it difficult for him to get into range of the big amphibians.
Bryn helps drag the bodies out of the mud and lay them out on the firmer surface of the path.
The lizardmen didn't leave here with the dinosaurs. The dinosaurs went that way. Bryn says pointing. And the Lizardmen went that way. he says pointing a different direction.
Besides his weapons and sheild Bryn carries a waterskin,and a days worth of food with him. He takes a position at the back of the file. watching behind them to ensure nothing can take them by suprise.
Not knowing the swamp and understanding the others concerns about taking the horses into the swamp. Having to pull a horse out of a mire would not help them catch up to Cromm and the others. So he also prepares to leave his horse behind. Bryn straps his sheild to his left arm and takes his militia issued shortspear in his right hand. His Bastard Sword is strapped across his back with the hilt over his right shoulder.
Breggel makes a good point but if we have to fight the lizard folk there is a good chance some of our people will get hurt. Having the horses with us will make it easier to get them back to Daggermark. I think we should at least take some of them with us. Byrn dismounts and looks around for anything that might be useful like weapons or sheilds dropped by the slain lizardfolk.
Cromm and his men can't be far. If we hurry maybe we can catch up to them.Bryn says looking towards the distant marsh. Do we try to take the horses in there or go on foot?
Bryn posted at the gate has the wounded man practically fall into his arms is shocked by the man's injuries and the amount of blood soaking his clothing. As soon as the man is taken off to get medical treatment he hurries to the town Stables to collect horses for the Militia members riding to Cromm's Holding. While he works he tries to remember anything he has heard about lizard men in the area, but can't recall anything specific.
Part 2 of training: The Dwarven brothers did good work repairing the hilt of the sword and it didn't cost him as much as he thought it would. Just a few gold for the materials and the sword looked like new. Bryn's grandfather was pleased with the results and showed Bryn how to rig the scabbard and belt so the sword could be worn across his back.
The first day of training Bryn took the sword with him as his grandfather told him too. He regretted it almost immediately. When the Seiver the Dukes swordmaster saw the sword strapped across his back his face red in fury and he came straight for Bryn. Who told you that you could bring steel on to my parade ground boy! Seiver was three inches shorter than Bryn and whipcord lean, but the grizzled swordmaster had a fearsome reputation. Bryn looked into Seiver's icy grey eyes and swallowed. My grandfather told me to tell you that "Jorry says his grandson needs to learn how to use a real sword." Bryn said to the swordmaster just as his grandfather instructed him too. And now he is going to kill me. he thought as he waited for Seiver to react. The swordmasters reaction was not what Bryn expected. Seiver threw back his head and laughed out loud. So your that old bastard Jorry's grandson are you? Seiver asked. The icy fury in his eyes the moment before was gone replaced by a mischeivious spark. He probably never told you that I was almost your grandfather instead of him. Seiver grinned at Bryn. Remind me to tell you that story later. . Jorry put you up to bringing that sword with you didn't he. Well you won't me needing it today puppy. Give to me I will hang on to it for you until you are ready for it. Yes sir. Bryn replied. He quickly removed the sword and gave it to the Swordmaster. Seiver took the sword and pulled the blade a hand span from the scabbard. It is your grandfathers! I thought it might be but the hilt is different, so I wasn't sure. Your grandfather wants you to learn to use his blade so I will make sure you do, but you are a long way from being ready to carry this blade puppy. Don't worry though boy I will make sure you get there. . . either that or kill you. The next three months were hellish for Bryn. Little sleep, little food, and the constant demanding physical training made him wish he were back doing easy work like digging clay for the workshop. He thought of quitting often but then he would remember how his father had insisted he was wasting his time and the pride in his grandfathers eyes when he showed him how to arrange the restored bastard sword to ride across his back. Quitting would mean admitting his father was right and would disappointing his grandfather. He couldn't do either one. He thought Seiver being a friend of his grandfather might save him some of the pain but Seiver actually when out of his way to make things harder on Bryn. Bryn was punished for mistakes that were over looked on others. He was given the heaviest loads to carry and give the worst watches to stand. He ended up sparring with Seiver more often that he did with other trainees. Two and a half months into the training. . . Faster mudboy![/b ] Seiver barked and bashed Bryn on the head with the weighted wooden practice sword. Bryn and the sword master were sparring in the yard with practice swords weighted to be heavier than real swords. The other trainees were sparring in pairs around them. [b]You will never touch me with your sword let alone beat me if you don't move faster. Seiver growled and struck Bryn twice in the ribs with his own sword. Bryn saved his breath and tried to keep the heavy wooden shield strapped to his left arm between himself and Seiver's blade. He wasn't successful and the old man thumped him on the back and then on the elbow and knocked the practice sword from his nerveless fingers.
The last day of the training was spent cleaning and storing away the equipment. Bryn was hanging up the newly washed padded armor used in training to dry, when Seiver came to see him. He was carrying Bryn's grandfathers sword with him.
here is the first part of the story
Part One of Bryn's Advance to Fighter:
Bryn's family was glad to see him when he got home. His mother had been worried about him because he was gone so long and was glad to have her boy home safe and sound. Bryn's father was impressed when Bryn showed him the forty gold pieces Meldar had given him, and was please when Bryn told him about the contact he had made with the merchant. Even Grandfather who was always so stern and demanding gave Bryn an approving smile when he told them about the battle with the giant snake.
Latter at supper Bryn's father commented that because he was gone working for the militia for so long he probably wouldn't have to give any time the next month. Bryn admitted that this was true the militia commander had told them that they didn't need to serve any time the next month, but he (Bryn) had agreed to take the infantry training that was beginning the next week. Bryn's mother began to cry. His father normally a quiet mild tempered man exploded yelling about familial responsibility and how he was ruining his future. Bryn's Grandfather simply leaned back in his chair, lit his pipe, and watched Bryn with a thoughtful expression. Eventually Bryn's mother stopped wailing and sat quietly snuffling, and Bryn's father stopped yelling and settled for pacing back and forth across the room angrily. Bryn. Grandfathers voice sounded loud in the quiet room. Are you sure you want to do this? Yes. Grandfather. Bryn replied he was about to say more but Grandfather held up an hand indicating he should be silent. Grandfather stood and walked over to the hearth a thoughtful frown on his face. He knocked the dottle from his pipe and set it carefully on the mantle before turning back to the room. Renia. He said addressing Bryn's mother. that's enough silliness. The boy isn't going to die. He is just going for training, training that could keep him alive in the future. Bryn's father looked like he was going to start to argue but Grandfather stilled him with a look. Thats enough from you too Lorr. he said firmly This isn't something that either you, or Renia will be able to understand. Go wait for me in the workshop boy. I have somethings to explain to your parents. Bryn did as his grandfather ordered. You didn't disobey Grandfather. So Bryn took a lantern and went to wait in the quiet workshop. His family had fired the Kiln while he was gone so the workshop was warm despite the late season. The workshop was dark with all the windows shuttered and barred for the night, only Bryn's lantern kept it from being pitch black. After a time Grandfather arrived at the workshop. The weathered white haired old man closed the door to the workshop behind him and crossed the room to a rack of tools.
Inside the shrouding cloth is sword . The leather of the scabbard is cracked and mildewed. The belt wrapped around the hilt is in worse shape. The guard and pommel are rusted and the leather wrapping the grip is also in bad shape. The last forty years haven't been kind have they old friend. Grandfather says speaking to the sword as he lifts it from the wrappings.
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