Post by Marko on Aug 21, 2007 14:16:15 GMT -5
[OoC]This thread is about a story arch set in and around the city of Sandburg, all stories conected to this story arch will be posted in this thread. So here we go....
[/OoC]
Episode I :“You must help us, to help yourself.”
Another day shines on the old walls of the Communal Palace. Many cherish the rays of the sun as a sign of the powers that keep them safe from the horrors of an extended darkness. But within the walls of the palace a certain governor struggled to wake up, secretly demanding just a few more moments of darkness in which to banish his headache.
“Must remember not to mix Nestorian wine with Yul brandy, it can severely ruin ones day” – I pondered trying to secure myself on two legs. “But alas, both were needed. Nestorian for sleeping and Yul to help my muscles regenerate.”
As confidence in my walking skill began to grow I charged as a hungry wolf towards the cabinet to consume a brown leaf.
“I would have slept more if I hadn’t forgot the curtains open last night and now the suns rays keep me from further enjoying the dream lands.” – I explained to myself.
Of course the drawer would not submit to my desire of opening it. It finally ceded its grip after a jolly good pull and a beautifully crafted injurious remark by me. The bag was there sitting in one of the corners of the plain inside of the drawer. After a short process of gently opening it, I plunged my hand in, carefully inspected its contents. I could feel many broken remains and by the good luck shined down by Fortune herself I discovered one intact leaf. The bitter-souer juices my tongue detected slid gently down my troat - mind you - not without a vigorous protest from my brain, demanding the immediate expulsion of that “thing”. Luckily, my reason did all the work of explaining the necessity of ingurgitating the brown leaf.
Work demanded my attention as documents and letters lay open on the heavy decorated table by the window. Only after time has elapsed in the quest to have a better position, did I submerge myself in work. I moved the chair slightly in all the directions to get that oh-so-perfect seating that all scribes speak about when they meet. It seamed trivial work, the one I have done many times, but it never got boring for me.
The day was bright when I emerged from the apartments given to my by the Communal assembly. Worried a little that Edgar has not made his morning visit. Just by the door, on the left side, upon a carefully balanced chair leaning on the wall was Kyln Andrew. The newest addition to my entourage. He and his brother Camdon were the best guards the Sandburgs Guard could offer me. The two warriors are rather free willed and some could say reckless, a thing that is normal of youth of their age and battle experience. But as the others that I have allowed around me, they show potential.
“Good morning, warrior!” – the governor sounded harsh.
“A ... good mornin’ milord.” – the startled warrior said trying desperately to rise quickly from his chair but also to keep his balance.
“Did you have a good sleep?” – the governor proceeded in inspecting the man-at-arms gear.
“Yes I have. Replaced my brother... the other guard just a few moments ago, sir!” – Andrews responses were kept in line with military traditions, as he was taught by the other guardsmen.
“Fine. At ease, warrior!” – commanded the governor. “I don’t actually need a personal guard.” – he tough – “Although protocol and discipline are quite needed and educational for warriors.”
“Have you seen Edgar?” – asked Marcus lowering his commanding stance.
“He was here a moment ago. He said he had forgotten some document in his room and will be.... A, there he is!” – the warrior pointed to an opening door. Behind it emerged the apprentice we all call Edgar. A young master of the arcane arts, he would introduce himself. But between you and me his path to masterhood has reached, as his official title says, only the apprentice level.
“Bless the Highfather for the new day!” – was the more pompous aristocratic way of morning greeting the young Edgar of Grandmoor preferred. Edgar tried to mend his bag now half full with official documents, the other half with excerpts from ancient tomes of arcane knowledge the young one was studying.
“Blessed be!” – answerded the governor, arms crossed.
“I hope, milord has not awaited my return for far to long?” – Edgar stopped a few steps from Marcus.
“Must have been a very important document.”
“Document?” – asked a surprised Edgar – “Ah, yes. The document.” – Edgars face quickly displaced his toughs, he was wondering how the governor knew and then he saw the men-at-arms.
“It’s about the new arrivals from the last day.” – Edgar opened his bag a little annoyed that the Marcus found out from a guard. He tossed his hand in the bag with the intention of spilling all the documents into the hands of the governor. “Also don’t forget that you have an official visit at the marketplace...”
“Not here, Edgar.” – the governor interrupted – “First lets eat. I think you haven’t eaten either Edgar?” – Marcus grabbed the shoulder of the mana weaver.
“No, sir.” – answered Edgar.
“Magnificent!” – exalted the governor – “How about you Andrew?”
“Straight here from bed, milord.” – Andrew jumped from his chair in a straight position an inch close to even saluting.
“Splendid! Come, Andrew.” – his other arm ordered the man-at-arms to him.
“You know, after eating all your life in military barracks with other knights it seams rather boring to eat alone.” – started confessing Marcus as the three headed down the arched corridor overlooking one of the interior courtyards of the Communal Palace.
Later that day in the Marketplace of Sandburg, Governor Aranth Marcus was on his way to visit and have a talk with the merchants that sold their goods in the market of Central District. It was a small group numbering the governor, Edgar, Andrew, the governors healer Caitlyn Winne and merchant Ridelur with his personal armed “friends”. Ridelur was defacto leader of the merchants, being one of the most powerful and richest merchants in Sandburg. On their way from the Communal Palace other members of the Communal Assembly joined them
The group progressed from stall to stall, where Marcus listened to the grievances of the other lower merchants. Of course none tried to say anything against Ridelur, because he himself was glued to the right of the governor always treathening with his eyesight the other merchants. And there was a lot to say about Ridelur who controlled most of the business that went trough Sandburgs markets.
“Another eyesight was focused on me” – tough the governor after sensing for some time that one of the people in the market was following his movements more then the others. He looked like an Outsider, a well built one. His well-developed musculature, made visible by the shortage of fabric covering his body, made him look as if possessing the strength of a hill giant. The Outsiders or Haujer are tribes of men that live in the highlands around Sandburg. Tribes over which the authority of Sandburg does not have jurisdiction. Mostly hunters, the haujer, rarely come down in Sandburg to sell their excess hunting spoils for other goods. Always keeping to themselves, they don’t care about long conversations with any sandburgian.
But this haujer was a curious one. He closed in on the official group raising a hand to get the governors attention. “Poor outsider” – many around him tough. Because to speak with the governor you had to wait your turn or be important enough to have a personal audience. But the outsider persisted, smashing trough the sea of citizens gathered in the marketplace.
“Governor Aranth!” – he yelled. The governor finally heard the roar, the second time the outsider yelled. But this time Andrew was alerted also, seeing this half-dressed behemoth charging in the direction of the governor, the man-at-arms had to act.
“Whoa there. Ronan the Barbarian!” – Andrew raised his spear. The outsider stopped just in time – “ ‘Cause one more step and you’ll be impaled”
“Must speak to Governor Aranth Marcus.” – the outsider demanded raising his hands.
“Slow with the hands.” – said Andrew taking one step back for a better position. The spear was never Andrews favorite weapon– “I’m afraid this is as far as you can go. But tell you what you can wave to the gov’.” – Andrew smiled.
“Wave? No!” – the outsider got anxious – “Governor Aranth!” – he yelled again. As he did not see any reception from the governor, speaking with Ridelur and a carpet merchant, the outsider laid his brown eyes on Andrew.
“Now, now. Don’t get any smart ideas!” – warned Andrew. The man-at-arms should know that no one really listens to a man-at-arms. And so the outsider grabbed Andrews spear and tossed him over his outsiders’ head. An easy task really, after considering the strength behind that muscled outsiders’ body. Andrew crashed somewhere behind the sea of citizens. The outsider behemoth pushed everyone that was between him and the governor finally presenting himself.
“Governor Aranth, finally!” – said the outsider now quite exhausted.
“And who might you be, sir?” – asked the governor turning towards the outsider.
“I’m a messenger and I have something to tell...” – but the haujer was interrupted by a voice coming from behind him growing stronger and stronger.
“Leave... the... governor alone!” – and as the last word sounded, an airborne Andrew well upon the haujers back, both arms wrapped around the outsiders neck. The momentum made the two lean towards the front and quickly the haujers equilibrium was lost. Ridelur and Marcus took a step sideways and watched as the men-at-arms and haujer crash upon the carpet merchants stall.
“You must help us, to help yourself.” – said the outsider upon the ground, breathing heavily. Marcus pulled Andrew from above the outsider.
“What do you mean?” – asked immediately Marcus after he was sure his man-at-arms was close to alright.
“She...” – the outsider started to lose his counciousness – “...told me to give you this ring, for you to know the truth behind my word” – his arm was extended holding a red ruby ring held by a golden hoop decorated with geometric symbols.
“She?” – the governor asked as he picked up the ring, but after he looked upon it, he just said – “Oh, she...” – Caitlyn was now by the side of the passed-out outsider.
“Is he alright?” – asked Andrew
“He's just exhausted.” – answered Caitlyn, directing some citizens into picking the haujer from the ground and carry him to the acolyte sanctuary. – “Don’t worry, after a few hours of rest he’ll tell us all of his message.”
“Sir, I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” – Andrew tried to explain.
“There’s nothing about it. You did well Andrew.” – but the governor was lost in a thousand toughs, giving a pat on the back to his zealous guard.
“Why would she send him?” – he continued to consider.
to be continued...
[/OoC]
Episode I :“You must help us, to help yourself.”
Another day shines on the old walls of the Communal Palace. Many cherish the rays of the sun as a sign of the powers that keep them safe from the horrors of an extended darkness. But within the walls of the palace a certain governor struggled to wake up, secretly demanding just a few more moments of darkness in which to banish his headache.
“Must remember not to mix Nestorian wine with Yul brandy, it can severely ruin ones day” – I pondered trying to secure myself on two legs. “But alas, both were needed. Nestorian for sleeping and Yul to help my muscles regenerate.”
As confidence in my walking skill began to grow I charged as a hungry wolf towards the cabinet to consume a brown leaf.
“I would have slept more if I hadn’t forgot the curtains open last night and now the suns rays keep me from further enjoying the dream lands.” – I explained to myself.
Of course the drawer would not submit to my desire of opening it. It finally ceded its grip after a jolly good pull and a beautifully crafted injurious remark by me. The bag was there sitting in one of the corners of the plain inside of the drawer. After a short process of gently opening it, I plunged my hand in, carefully inspected its contents. I could feel many broken remains and by the good luck shined down by Fortune herself I discovered one intact leaf. The bitter-souer juices my tongue detected slid gently down my troat - mind you - not without a vigorous protest from my brain, demanding the immediate expulsion of that “thing”. Luckily, my reason did all the work of explaining the necessity of ingurgitating the brown leaf.
Work demanded my attention as documents and letters lay open on the heavy decorated table by the window. Only after time has elapsed in the quest to have a better position, did I submerge myself in work. I moved the chair slightly in all the directions to get that oh-so-perfect seating that all scribes speak about when they meet. It seamed trivial work, the one I have done many times, but it never got boring for me.
The day was bright when I emerged from the apartments given to my by the Communal assembly. Worried a little that Edgar has not made his morning visit. Just by the door, on the left side, upon a carefully balanced chair leaning on the wall was Kyln Andrew. The newest addition to my entourage. He and his brother Camdon were the best guards the Sandburgs Guard could offer me. The two warriors are rather free willed and some could say reckless, a thing that is normal of youth of their age and battle experience. But as the others that I have allowed around me, they show potential.
“Good morning, warrior!” – the governor sounded harsh.
“A ... good mornin’ milord.” – the startled warrior said trying desperately to rise quickly from his chair but also to keep his balance.
“Did you have a good sleep?” – the governor proceeded in inspecting the man-at-arms gear.
“Yes I have. Replaced my brother... the other guard just a few moments ago, sir!” – Andrews responses were kept in line with military traditions, as he was taught by the other guardsmen.
“Fine. At ease, warrior!” – commanded the governor. “I don’t actually need a personal guard.” – he tough – “Although protocol and discipline are quite needed and educational for warriors.”
“Have you seen Edgar?” – asked Marcus lowering his commanding stance.
“He was here a moment ago. He said he had forgotten some document in his room and will be.... A, there he is!” – the warrior pointed to an opening door. Behind it emerged the apprentice we all call Edgar. A young master of the arcane arts, he would introduce himself. But between you and me his path to masterhood has reached, as his official title says, only the apprentice level.
“Bless the Highfather for the new day!” – was the more pompous aristocratic way of morning greeting the young Edgar of Grandmoor preferred. Edgar tried to mend his bag now half full with official documents, the other half with excerpts from ancient tomes of arcane knowledge the young one was studying.
“Blessed be!” – answerded the governor, arms crossed.
“I hope, milord has not awaited my return for far to long?” – Edgar stopped a few steps from Marcus.
“Must have been a very important document.”
“Document?” – asked a surprised Edgar – “Ah, yes. The document.” – Edgars face quickly displaced his toughs, he was wondering how the governor knew and then he saw the men-at-arms.
“It’s about the new arrivals from the last day.” – Edgar opened his bag a little annoyed that the Marcus found out from a guard. He tossed his hand in the bag with the intention of spilling all the documents into the hands of the governor. “Also don’t forget that you have an official visit at the marketplace...”
“Not here, Edgar.” – the governor interrupted – “First lets eat. I think you haven’t eaten either Edgar?” – Marcus grabbed the shoulder of the mana weaver.
“No, sir.” – answered Edgar.
“Magnificent!” – exalted the governor – “How about you Andrew?”
“Straight here from bed, milord.” – Andrew jumped from his chair in a straight position an inch close to even saluting.
“Splendid! Come, Andrew.” – his other arm ordered the man-at-arms to him.
“You know, after eating all your life in military barracks with other knights it seams rather boring to eat alone.” – started confessing Marcus as the three headed down the arched corridor overlooking one of the interior courtyards of the Communal Palace.
Later that day in the Marketplace of Sandburg, Governor Aranth Marcus was on his way to visit and have a talk with the merchants that sold their goods in the market of Central District. It was a small group numbering the governor, Edgar, Andrew, the governors healer Caitlyn Winne and merchant Ridelur with his personal armed “friends”. Ridelur was defacto leader of the merchants, being one of the most powerful and richest merchants in Sandburg. On their way from the Communal Palace other members of the Communal Assembly joined them
The group progressed from stall to stall, where Marcus listened to the grievances of the other lower merchants. Of course none tried to say anything against Ridelur, because he himself was glued to the right of the governor always treathening with his eyesight the other merchants. And there was a lot to say about Ridelur who controlled most of the business that went trough Sandburgs markets.
“Another eyesight was focused on me” – tough the governor after sensing for some time that one of the people in the market was following his movements more then the others. He looked like an Outsider, a well built one. His well-developed musculature, made visible by the shortage of fabric covering his body, made him look as if possessing the strength of a hill giant. The Outsiders or Haujer are tribes of men that live in the highlands around Sandburg. Tribes over which the authority of Sandburg does not have jurisdiction. Mostly hunters, the haujer, rarely come down in Sandburg to sell their excess hunting spoils for other goods. Always keeping to themselves, they don’t care about long conversations with any sandburgian.
But this haujer was a curious one. He closed in on the official group raising a hand to get the governors attention. “Poor outsider” – many around him tough. Because to speak with the governor you had to wait your turn or be important enough to have a personal audience. But the outsider persisted, smashing trough the sea of citizens gathered in the marketplace.
“Governor Aranth!” – he yelled. The governor finally heard the roar, the second time the outsider yelled. But this time Andrew was alerted also, seeing this half-dressed behemoth charging in the direction of the governor, the man-at-arms had to act.
“Whoa there. Ronan the Barbarian!” – Andrew raised his spear. The outsider stopped just in time – “ ‘Cause one more step and you’ll be impaled”
“Must speak to Governor Aranth Marcus.” – the outsider demanded raising his hands.
“Slow with the hands.” – said Andrew taking one step back for a better position. The spear was never Andrews favorite weapon– “I’m afraid this is as far as you can go. But tell you what you can wave to the gov’.” – Andrew smiled.
“Wave? No!” – the outsider got anxious – “Governor Aranth!” – he yelled again. As he did not see any reception from the governor, speaking with Ridelur and a carpet merchant, the outsider laid his brown eyes on Andrew.
“Now, now. Don’t get any smart ideas!” – warned Andrew. The man-at-arms should know that no one really listens to a man-at-arms. And so the outsider grabbed Andrews spear and tossed him over his outsiders’ head. An easy task really, after considering the strength behind that muscled outsiders’ body. Andrew crashed somewhere behind the sea of citizens. The outsider behemoth pushed everyone that was between him and the governor finally presenting himself.
“Governor Aranth, finally!” – said the outsider now quite exhausted.
“And who might you be, sir?” – asked the governor turning towards the outsider.
“I’m a messenger and I have something to tell...” – but the haujer was interrupted by a voice coming from behind him growing stronger and stronger.
“Leave... the... governor alone!” – and as the last word sounded, an airborne Andrew well upon the haujers back, both arms wrapped around the outsiders neck. The momentum made the two lean towards the front and quickly the haujers equilibrium was lost. Ridelur and Marcus took a step sideways and watched as the men-at-arms and haujer crash upon the carpet merchants stall.
“You must help us, to help yourself.” – said the outsider upon the ground, breathing heavily. Marcus pulled Andrew from above the outsider.
“What do you mean?” – asked immediately Marcus after he was sure his man-at-arms was close to alright.
“She...” – the outsider started to lose his counciousness – “...told me to give you this ring, for you to know the truth behind my word” – his arm was extended holding a red ruby ring held by a golden hoop decorated with geometric symbols.
“She?” – the governor asked as he picked up the ring, but after he looked upon it, he just said – “Oh, she...” – Caitlyn was now by the side of the passed-out outsider.
“Is he alright?” – asked Andrew
“He's just exhausted.” – answered Caitlyn, directing some citizens into picking the haujer from the ground and carry him to the acolyte sanctuary. – “Don’t worry, after a few hours of rest he’ll tell us all of his message.”
“Sir, I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” – Andrew tried to explain.
“There’s nothing about it. You did well Andrew.” – but the governor was lost in a thousand toughs, giving a pat on the back to his zealous guard.
“Why would she send him?” – he continued to consider.
to be continued...
