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"The Garden? Ah yes, I would hate to be poked by your thorns and terrifying...ummm... Daffodils! Hahaha." "Subotai! Find Oleg and see where we can find a temporary cell for the woman and this Gardener. Norri, what do you recommend for justice? Sending for the Watch in town?"
"Yours? Oh you may not have heard. This is to be my kingdom. And in my kingdom, you own no man. No matter how much of a wretch of a human he may be. Brother Norri, help him up."
Ragnar watches as the bandit 'Happs' runs, runs, and ultimately is felled by the masterful shot of Subotai. He turns to the hooded figure and tilts his helmet back. "Dog? I don't see any dogs. Do you mean these curs ?" His boot strikes the lifeless and sticky corpse of one of the bandits. "I'm afraid, we've put them all down." "Brother Norri, what does that one have to say? Ready for justice?" He gestures at the ugly woman with the point of his axe. "And for the love of the gods, can someone bring me a drink! I feel I've been fighting for a millenia!"
Ragnar moves, holding his shield high, to the area threatening the bandit atop the wagon. He waits for the man to attempt his jump to the shed, should the man fall... well, he might not rise again.
"...Aye father, you keep her under eye, we'll deal with the rest." Ragnar lowers his axe and raises his shield to better cover himself from the arrows flying about.
Ragnar hears the words escape the woman's mouth, but his blood is hot and after all would this woman extend him the same courtesy? He raises his axe arm and begins to chop downward...
"What in the..."
The arrow strikes deep into Ragnar's side, accompanied by a sickening THUNK . Ragnar looks down at the arrow sticking from his body. Oh...This isn't good is it... The woozy feeling works its way into Ragnar's head. He shakes it slowly in disbelief and yet, as his vision slightly blurs from the wound it begins to clear almost immediately. As if his insides were stitching themselves back together I feel... whole! He again looks down at the arrow, still imbedded in his side. Puzzling over his instant healing of the wound he grips the shaft and yanks it free from his side. Now he can fight. "Raaaaggghhhhhhh!!!!"
Ragnar faces the woman, and squares his stance. Her blow rains down and clatters against his shield. His arm rumbles like thunder from the blow. "Ugh, normally I'm not one for hitting women, but in your case... I'm not sure my axe will ruin much!" he taunts, hoping to provoke a misstep. She doesn't seem to be falling for it just yet so he swings!
His swing misses wildly.
Ragnar turns his attention to the small man who ran to flank him. "Eager for your end eh? Let's see if I can help you, it feels like ages since my last real fight!"
The arrows zip past Ragnar taking bandits and missing entirely, finally, after seemingly eons the battle is truly joined! Ragnar sweeps forward and swingss his axe at the bandit in front him
Ragnar stands axe and shield at the ready, Subotai's arrow catches the rider near the gate in the gut and the battle is on! Ragnar pushes forward and swings his axe at the fiirst rider in front of him. The riders leg in the stirrup a chunk of meat waiting for the chopping block.
Ragnar's nerves are shot from the long wait. It has been an eternity since breakfast, weeks at the very least and now here they are. Time for the adventure to truly begin!
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR MY SKULL THRONE!
Ragnar ushers Arielle and Svetlana inside.
Stretching at the door, he looks for Oleg. "Oleg? Make sure your spear and shield are tucked out of sight. I'm sure they won't suspect anything. Norri, let's have a drink, maybe a roll of dice?"
Finishing the remainder of his breakfast and washing it down with a swig of small beer.
"The bandits should come any minute now..."
Ragnar turns to Ciri, "I should hope so! If it is my fate." Am I really to be king? Is it meant to be or am I imposing my right? It is a bit presumptuous, and to hear her say it as if it is known already, I, Ragnar son of Ragnar am to be a king in these lands. I have the writ from Brevoy, it is in motion, yes...I am meant to be a king... or die in the attempt. "Now let's finish our breakfast. There are men to kill this day."
Ragnar looks up beaming. "Aye if you would help I'd be glad for it. If you're worried about being in our way you ought to be." Ragnar scoots over closer to Oleg and motions with his finger on the table the layout of the coming fight. "First, go into that stockroom of yours, I saw what you had available, arm yourself, a shield and axe, or maybe a spear! To keep them at length ya see? And a couple of those potions, I want ya to have them at the ready, all this put just inside the door of whatever building your woman and Little One will be hiding in. So, when the bandits show and we close the gates, run into that doorway and hold off any bandits from making their way into the woman and child. You'll be holding down a defensive position aye-" Ragnar shoves another egg down in his maw, "-and if you see any of us in the courtyard get pressed into trouble, perhaps even we look like we're nearing Death's door, well if you could run out and give 'em a potion that would be much welcome." Ragnar puts his hand on the man's shoulder. "Most importantly is keeping the others safe and out of harms way, you can do that?"
Ragnar is oblivious to anything but Oleg's... Well, he can't quite put his finger on it. Ragnar munches down multiple eggs, as many as he can find. "Mmmm a hearty meal! My thanks to you and your woman Oleg."
"Awake early little one!" Ragnar stands and stretches, he feels as if he has been asleep in the chair for eons, a statue carved from resolute stone and left to weather the ages. At hearing Oleg's suggestion of a 'light' breakfast, "Oh, I hope it is more than light, I am starved! Come little one, let us get some breakfast then back up to the room with you!" Ragnar leaves the majority of his gear upstairs, taking his axe and shield to stash under table until the bandits show.
Ragnar sleeps.
"Oleg, I understand your meaning. Maybe for now I will keep Arielle close. Until we establish ourselves and order into these lands. Maybe then I can get her somewhere safe. Ciri.... This may be quite fun indeed" A gleam passes across his eyes. "Alright then. Let's get to sleep, unless anyone has anything else to say?"
Ragnar looks at him with a cool eye. Priests? Searching for the girl... Interesting "Yes... continue, what Others?"
"Ciri, surely a trading post with walls, would be safer than wading through the woods and into danger, which make no mistake, is where we are heading. After, we deal with this bandit problem." "Oleg, speak plainly. What are we to know."
"I... have not decided. I don't mean to no, but she needs a safe place to stay. When we've dealt with the bandits maybe this post could be a haven for her while we tame the lands. That would be best. Oleg? Would that be possible, could you and your wife watch her for me? I will pay for her room and such. I'm sure she could be handy around the post if she wanted to be. The Wilds are no place for her to be wandering."
"Aye, fire... that would do the trick wouldn't it." The sun finally making its last hurrah dipping below the horizon, the light fleeing over the treetops. "We should get some sleep. I'm not entirely sure when the bandits will be arriving and I'd rather not have them catch me with my head on the pillow. Good night Ciri, see you in the morning." Ragnar walks along the palisade and into the room he shares with Arielle. At the sound of the door opening she turns over. "Little One. Tomorrow there will be some bad men coming to the trading post. You have nothing to fear, myself and some of the others staying here will take care of them. You however need to stay bundled up in bed away. I don't want any accidents and who knows what would happen if they found you. I won't hear anything against it now go to bed." Ragnar sits in a chair in the corner, running the whetstone along his weapons. First his axe, the knicks and cuts being smoothed and sharpened. Then his bastard sword, the oil fresh along the blade. He finishes with his small belt dagger and nods off in the chair.
Ragnar looks out across the wilds from the palisades, Brother Norri to his side.
So it begins. Come tomorrow I'll truly begin my conquest. Taking with sword what I will and forging a new kingdom from the ashes of the old. Ragnar feels excitement. The coming battle, true adventure. Conquest! "Brother Norri, I have a good feeling of this. We will wait at those tables, looking as inconspicuous as possible. Perhaps Ciri can wait alongside the inside of the palisade, when the bandits enter she can quickly bar the exit. Subotai atop the roof, or maybe up here above the entrance. We can win this. They won't expect any resistance and if we get the element of surprise on them it'll be sealed. I'll be honest Brother... I'm not sure about the beginning of the attack... Do we wait for them to make their intentions known? Do we attempt to jail them and send them in for justice? That would only make it more difficult to succeed...." Ragnar stares out as the sunlight dies behind the treeline, his face turning grim. "No, we know their intent and when they are in our trap we spring it. They are bandits, they've made their choice. Subotai will fire the first arrow as soon as we stand, Ciri will lock the gate and the battle will be begun. We will make an example of these bandits, none will attempt to harass this post again." And in doing so, we'll have made our first foothold in the Stolen Lands.
Ragnar isn't sure about Ciri's bow and quip, he almost takes offense but he isn't sure it's meant in such a way. "Don't call me that...At least not yet haha! Alright good, I'm glad we're in agreement. Let's get ready." Ragnar looks to Oleg again. "I'll see you in battle tomorrow Oleg."
"Thank you for telling us this Svetlana, it will help us to solve this problem." Ragnar turns to the table. "Well, I won't say outright ambush them. But I don't expect it'll go easy. How about this. Subotai, you'll be perched atop the roof, somewhere you can have clear shots with the courtyard. I, and..." Ragnar looks between the dwarf and tiefling, " Brother Norri, we will meet the bandits when they arrive. We'll wait at a table until the group of them get in close, we won't want any of them to escape and warn the rest of them. You, Ciri, perhaps we can find a place out of sight for you, to come in behind them? Maybe take one alive to lead us to the rest of them? Grub, might you have an idea where the bandits hideout is? What are your thoughts?" Ragnar still mistaking Ciri for some sort of simple thief or cutthroat thinks she'll fit the role he has assigned her just fine. Subotai boasts of his bow and Norri looks capable with his hammer. "Svetlana! Quickly, when do hey arrive? At dusk. Midday? And Oleg!" Ragnar calls out to the man, "I understand your pride may be hurt, so join us when the inevitable fighting starts. Take back your pride from their hides!"
"Oh, well, how convenient. This is a regular racket they have then? I suppose we can wait around another day before venturing out. How sure are you'll they'll be here tomorrow? How many do they usually arrive with? Anything at all you may know we could use."
"Aye, it would seem miss that no such help has been seen. I know I didn't come across any soldiers on my journey. However, I can offer my assistance and Im sure my fellow warriors would help. We will gladly go out and investigate. Indeed it was what we were going to be doing anyways. I would ask that you keep an eye on th--my little one for me, I don't wish to take her into the bandits way with me. And, if you could provide us with further room and board while we look into it, that would be greatly appreciated."
At the mention of testing mettle Ragnar beams. "Yes. That IS what I mean to do Grub, you'll guide us but these lands are going to be reclaimed and ruled, not left to lawless bandits." Opening up the dialogue to everyone at the table. "So, we will begin here, and begin mapping out the neighboring area. It shouldn't be too difficult in these first few miles near the outpost and we can probably clear and map them in a day or so." "Are we all ready on supplies? Any questions? After the first week of service I will pay you from my pocket a modest stipend and of course, I offer you a share of any loot the bandits may have. Keep in mind I mean to turn these lands to a true kingdom and any resources to that end will. Be most valuable, your actions will not be forgotten, good or bad."
"No, no. no disagreement. My purpose is much the same here in its own way. The wealth and the power will come but they are not the goal themselves. I suppose you're demeanor leaves me wary is all." His face relaxes. "But I should understand! We've only just met! And as for now our goals align, as long as those hold I imagine we can travel together just fine."
Ragnar stares into Ciri, studying her intently. His grin fades and his face grows stern. "I suppose it is." I can't fault her current goals, no, they're the same as mine... But the way she speaks... Can I trust her? Of course not! She's Helspawn! How could you hope to trust one of them ... Still, she'll be helpful for now I imagine. "Yes... Yes I suppose it is. Alright well Grub, whatdya have for us!"
"Ahaha! I agree. Out here is where we can carve out our own fate. Yes..." Ragnar thinks back to his visit to the oracle. Can he really create his own fate, he is following a path he had been told would appear... Is that what he wants or what he believes he must do? "So then Ciri Helspawn, what is it you're after?" Ragnar's eyes widen and his demeanor becomes serious.
At the word 'vizier' Ragnar scrunched up his eyebrows. "A... What? And pig hunting... Oh! Haha I see! Oh yes, play your games woman! Hahaha. A pig heh! We'll see how you feel in time. Brother Norri here says you're a Turfling, is that so? What's the truth of your people? Be you all demonkin?" Looking to Grub.
As Subotai laughs in the face of Ciri, her blade failing to even inch toward his frame, Ragnar raises his arms. "Hold! Hold! Alright I've seen enough. Now, I'm not so sure if you're both unharmed from your ability to fight or lack of skill, but I see you potential, yes I do." Ciri:
Not really a spoiler, just drawing your attention. At "potential" you see Ragnar looks at you, whether it's the male gaze or not you're unsure. Maybe a mix of both? He continues, trying his damnedest to win everyone over
"Come, Ciri drink with us we have much planning to do, you fight with as much grace as I'd expect from such a body, and Subotai my friend you didn't do half so bad as I hear of your kind come, sit. Grub, where is Grub?" Ragnar doesn't seem to hear the backhanded nature of his compliments.
As the blades swing Ragnar continues the talk, "No half-dwarves though, isn't that interesting? What would they be, overly short humans or really tall dwarf folk?"
As Ciri's spell flashes, Ragnar's eyes light up.
Keeping his eyes on the mild duel, Ragnar speaks to Brother Norri. "Master Dwarf? Norri, aye? What is she? She's obviously not quite... human?"
"I'll let you two sort it out! To be honest, I don't think our turbaned friend here has the heart of a warrior, he may back down should you just draw your steel!" Ragnar is goading Subotai on, he doesn't think I'll of the man, but he doesn't know what to think of his skill as a warrior. Looking to Subotai, "I mean no disrespect of course!"
"Oh, no I don't mean to come across as a brigand! We're not to waylay you. Just a test of steel! I'm sure Subotai wasn't going to draw blood." Ragnar glances at Subotai.
Ragnar catches her meaning and laughs. "Haha! I suppose if what you say is true than I shouldn't. You cannot fault me the look of course, you are...interesting to say the least. Perhaps you could show me your 'capabilities?' Subotai? Maybe you're up to the challenge as well? I wouldn't want to bring a pair of stable hands with me into the wilds!" Ragnar laughs and drinks of his cup. "If that's not a problem mi'lady?" He gestures towards Subotai to stand.
Ragnar looks startled as the woman speaks to him. "Oh? Well, I'm not sure you'll be of use... You may just slow us down. Grub the Guide come join us over here please. You, miss, what is your name? And what, talents do you have?" At the mention of talents Ragnar's gaze sweeps over Ciri's form.
As Subotai relates the tale, the light in Ragnar's eyes dim. She brought down the hill... Why would she... How could she do such a thing. "I understand... If she can undo what she has done... Well, that doesn't seem likely but we may find ourselves back there. As it is, I will hire you on for the time being. You see, I aim to reclaim these Stolen Lands from the brigands and monsters within. It is my goal, and my right to rule them. "
"Without my battle brother I will be at a loss. I'll need strong arms and men of your talents I'm sure. I can offer you a share of any loot we find as we clear our land. But I'm....well I'm not sure where to start. I'm not entirely sure where HERE is. Does this trade post have a nearby town I may be familiar with? Are either of you a guide in these lands?" At the mention of 'guide' Ragnar remembers Svetlanna's mention of Grub the Guide.
Turning to the table with Grub and the dark woman. "You there, little one. Are you... Grub?"
Ragnar moves to sit with the dwarf and human, his 'saviors' as it were. "Might I get a drink?"
Looking to the dwarf and man, "And you friends, I suppose I owe you. A great deal. I have some questions however. Can you take me back to the mountainside where you came across me and th- my girl. I lost a friend there and I mean to do my damnedest to find him. Afterwards there may be work for a couple of sellswords such as yourselves" Hearing the dark woman from the other table, "Colony of the damned? Aye the men I sent to their infernal rest! Haha!" Ragnar takes a deep drink from a mug. "So friends? What do you think?"
Ragnar shakes his head as his eyes adjust. "huh... I coulda swore I was inside... Ah---Yes I am feeling quite fine. Back to my questions..." Ragnar rubs his hand over the back of his skull... No bumps, huh, must be Spoiler: poor reading skills.
Ragnars youthful face lights up at the turbaned man's comment. "Aye a Linnorm King! That I shall be, but first The Stolen Lands! Hahaha!" Damn... That was dumb Ragnar! You don't know these men, shouldn't mouth off your goal, Uncle would never have done that. He gathers his composure and moves towars the bar. Ragnar Ragnarson is young warrior. Breaking the six foot mark, he has a plain face, not overtly handsome, not hideous either, but his personality is what wins his friends. His long blond hair matches his short stubble and falls unkempt from his head. He wears it as a mark of his Ulfen ancestry, to strike fear in Riverland enemies! His build is strong and the muscles flex against the light jerkin he wears as he sits at the bar facing towards the barkeep. "Are you Oleg? I would have some questions for you. Do you have an accurate map of the nearby area? Where am I exactly?"
Ragnar eats of the food presented. His mind thinks over what the girl has told him. Xulgag and the other woman, Corie? They've gone... Could they be dead? That will be the first stop when they leave he decides. Investigate that hillside. Xul wouldn't leave him behind, not like that. Obviously some magic is afoot. Maybe they could open the door again? Maybe there's another entrance? "Well, before any of that I guess I should find out where here is." Ragnar says aloud.
Ragnar straps on his dagger and pulls his boots on. He heads downstairs to get a better idea of where he is.
Ragnar waits for the door to close and the sound of footsteps down the hall. "Daughter huh. You tell em that? Let's keep that little lie going for a bit. You'll safer that way I think. Now, what were you about to say before the woman came in here?"
"Ah.... Well, only to those I meet in battle! Tell me little one, do you mean me harm?" Ragnar laughs deep from his gut, a stitch of pain crosses his torso. "No, I think not. Nothing to fear from me little girl. Where... Where are we?" |
