"How has the village been fairing?  Is Lord Hulmer in good cheer?" Bael quizzed Rabbie in hopes of being prepared in case they were about to meet a tyrant.

In reply to Bael Haywardson (msg # 22):

Clutches staff with remaining 3 digits of right hand...

*Coughs*
*Splutters*

Bloody phlegm lands on some grass and he spits....

Kores looked about the village and saw little sign of centres of learning or ancient monoliths, simply ignorant peasants and their rude dwellings.

Though he noted few of them seemed overly affected by his appearance, undoubtedly these folk had seen many worse things in their rough lives...

"Alright, big man."  Rabbie nods to one of the men as they pass.



Rabbie talks as he walks, leading the others towards Lord Hulmer's 'manor'.

"Aye, Lord Hulmer's no a bad sort.  Looks after his own.  And there's no been too many raiders this season.  Most exciting thing happened lately in these parts was when Prince Doron and his men came treasure hunting."  Rabbie grins.  "Gave Lord Hulmer a mighty headache that did!" 



"The dogs'll be happy wi' that!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:22, Tue 19 Nov 2013.

In reply to Rabbie Brein (msg # 25):

Rabbie lead them through the village and up the slight rise on which squatted the Barons residence.

The turf covered stone and wooden building was surrounded by ancient earthworks of concentric rings. Someone had haphazardly placed pallisades about them.

http://jakeposluszny.files.wor...viking_longhouse.jpg

In Baels estimation it would halt a dedicated attacking force for a few brief moments.

Two figures stood at the entrance of the hall, one was a very elderly man who leant on the spear he held as much for support as anything. The other was a young woman dressed in a grey woolen shift and an old breastplate, once formed of corroded bronze but now mostly composed of leather strapping.

A series of bloodied plaid strips were tied to the haft of her spear.

" Who've you got there Rabbie?", she called.

She nudged the man next to her who seemed to suddenly start awake.

" What? Niave! Wha'yer? Oh, whose this then?"

" Rabbies brought some guests, Kerry."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:48, Tue 19 Nov 2013.

Bael moved forward to shake the hands of first the young woman and then the old man before returning his gaze to the young warrior woman and bowing his head.

"I am Bael, and my friends and I have come to chat with Lord Hulmer.  My companion, Kores, is keen to speak to him about some of the treasures Prince Doron may have recently looted from the area."

Bael was careful not to indicate which of his party was Kores for fear of bringing the young woman's attention to his deformities.

In reply to Bael Haywardson (msg # 27):

Rabbie winks at Niave. "Yer no blushing are ya, lass?"

Niave took the offered hand after a small hesitation.

" Aye. Niave and Kerry, the Baron is inside."

She furrowed her brow when he bowed his head but returned the gesture.



" You'll keep, Rabbie.", she scowled then winked at him.

" More treasure hunters, will they be sowing as many fields as the last lot?"

Rabbie chuckles.  He looks at the companions and shrugs his shoulders.

Bael blushed and kept his gaze low.

The companions were ushered through into a low ceilinged space hung about with furs and warmed by a pit fire, whose smoke seemed reluctant to exit.

Blinking in the smokey air they spied a man lounging on a large stool, he scratched the head of a large hound curled at his feet and looked somewhat startled at the large number of armed and armoured men entering his dwelling.

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com...artner=allmovie_soap

As he stood to his feet suddenly,and somewhat clumsily favouring one leg, the companions noted a large number of other figures staring at them from the shadows around the walls. as their eyes adjusted they noted they were mostly children and a number of women of various ages.

" Welcome, Milords!"

" How can an old man be of service today?"

They noted he did not appear to be very aged, but the lines on his face told of worries piled over the years.

In reply to GM (msg # 32):

Rabbie moved to the side and stood slightly in the shadows with his arms crossed, watching the newcomers.

Dann moves to the side as well, leaving the front row to his companions and trying to fade in the background.

Bael nodded his head to the Baron, feeling that bowing would probably be too obsequious for a man of the people.

"Lord Hulmer, we've come to Lacklaw in search of history.  We've heard that Prince Doron came through here recently and visited some nearby sites.  I have also heard that he and his men caused troubles for your people - we have no desire to cause trouble, but we *would* like to see where they visited in their... looting.  Is there anyone here who can help us?"

" Aye, thats all well and good. But I'd like tae know who I'm speaking with.  You know my name but I'm nonet'wiser to yers."

" Aye, there are folks who can take ye there, once I tell them where. That sneaksome wretch at the back there....I see ye Rabbie!!", he chuckled.

"Forgive me, my name is Bael Haywardson.  I'm a traveller with the scholar Kores Varias who is studying the ancient histories of these lands.  Our party of travellers came in with Greylock just now.  I can vouch for my friends that we are all good men."

"We have met your Rabbie," Bael said, turning and nodding to Rabbie.

*Lifts a few fingers on his right hand as a gesture of greeting*

Rabbie scowls at his lord's unkind words, even if they may have been spoken in jest.



Rabbie takes a step forward.  "Aye, I can lead you through the wilds if milord tells me where the Prince and his band went."

" Greetings, Bael Haywardson. Welcome to the House of Hulmer. No doubt not as grand as your own."

" Greetings, Kores Varias. We have healers here who may be able to ease your pains.  We have some experience with the ravages of fire."

" Bael, who are the others here.  No need to be shy lads!", he said peering into the darkness.

He nodded to Rabbie and smiled wryly.

In reply to GM (msg # 40):

*Wipes side of chin*

"Most of us are travellers, not from this area, though Finan is from these northern reaches like yourself.  He is another scholar, like Kores, which is why they require the safety of travelling with fellows such as myself, and my three other companions - Dann, Hugh and Yamousou.  Finan may be of the north, but Yamousou is from far to the south - the wild jungles of Mungoda.  Totally safe though compared to what I expected."

Looking around him, Bael turned back to Hulmer with a smile and said "And your house is indeed grander than mine my lord, as you have a loving family surrounding you."

Rabbie squints at Bael, not sure if he is taking the piss.

Yamousou stepped forward as Bael mentioned his name. He offered a polite bow, showing respect to the local lord. "My lord, I am but a humble traveller, keen to see the many delights your land has to offer. I seek knowledge and memories to take back to my people when the time comes."

Dann feels compelled to present himself as well when his named is pronounced. He moves forward, bends ever so slightly and mumbles: "I am honored to be your guest". His attempt as a smile is pathetic at best.

" Flattery will get you everything........not that I have a great deal to give."

" Though....if your family is as noble as your words...", he looked around the room squinting into the shadows. " Have you given thought to marriage, Sir Haywardson?"