[ic] nameless III: lost and found

[Maerdwyn]

Fredar keeps his voice neutral, with perhaps a touch of bitterness. "Guardsman Nathan will be whipped for insubordination. We have come here to deliver a warning: The Goblins mass in the East Forest. Worg riders move unfettered through the countryside where they once feared show their snouts! They threaten those who live outside your walls. If allowed to mass, they threaten you within these walls!

[*Nate is working himself up, allowing the speech to guide him, rather than the other way round*]
"We fought our way here to warn you, to help defend you from this menace! But were told that it was nothing to be worried about - that the threat was imagined. And then Nate objected - for he knows the threat is real! He objected, for the sake of every one of you standing here! And so, he will receive six lashes from Sergeant Dobbel's whip."

Fredar now turns, looking at everyone gathered around in turn. "Six Lashes! One for each of his companions who died trying to bring you this warning! Our sergeant fell to goblin spear just yesterday! Think how close we were to Kililngtom when he was cut down, good people!

[a tiny pause to make them consider this, then, with renewed vigor in his voice: ]
"The goblin threat is not imagined! Look at Nate's wounds! They are real! [*Fredar tears off his shirt.*] His companion's wounds are real! [He gestures towards his other compantions. Take off your shirts come on. Show them it touches everyone! He turns back to the crowd, speaking forcefully: ]
"The Goblins. Are. Real!"

[Fredar steps over and stands with his naked back beside Natek. He hopes the other two do as well, but realizing: It's already too late to back out even if they don't. You've committed yourself now, haven't you. Idiot. He says, more calmly and a little more quietly: ]

"And now, we have done our duty. If your leaders now ignore us, whipping us, rather than organizing a defense, then so be it!"

Fredar sets his jaw and looks straight forward, grimly, and filled with the same feeling he had ten seconds after signing on with the guard. You know you just volunteered for a whipping, right? Er... That's brilliant, Fredar. Nicely done. Maybe you can get him to break your nose while he's at it.

 

[doghead]

ooc: The leather armour and other gear might make the "ripping off of the shirt" a little less dramatic, but you have bloody bandages to display.

BTW: Could you let me know what in particular is Fredar trying to do?

The is a stirring amoung the small group of people outside the doors.

"Pa says some of the trappers have been talking about seeing few goblins of late ... The Landcarl put togther a patrol I heard ... There's always been goblins around ... But not like this. Our James said about tracks an'all over northways. Them big wolf tracks ... Oh gracious Lady! Look at that ... Those boys should be away being seen to ... That Cleric of the Lady was around earlier. I saw him go in ... the young'un? ... Aye, he is. But he's got the touch all right."

"Hoy corporal," shouts one of the men, "What's going on here. Are there goblins around or what? And what are you doing about it?"

The corporal glances around nervously. "Its guard business. Nothing for you to worry about. Go back to your homes."

"Well from what the young man here has said it sounds like it might be our business. And like he might know a little more than you on the matter," says the man. A few of the others nod in determined agreement.

 

[Maerdwyn]

ooc: The leather armour and other gear might make the "ripping off of the shirt" a little less dramatic, but you have bloody bandages to display.

BTW: Could you let me know what in particular is Fredar trying to do?

ooc: (oh yeah - armor I had assumed we'd taken that off on entering town, but bandages are fine. He will unbuckle his armor and step next to Nate - he realizes he's potentially made a whipping more dangerous and won't do so to Nate without going through the same himself.)

If asked, Fredar would say he's simply completing his duty - warning the people about the goblins. He believes that the local government really is going to take their report too lightly, and that if he convinces the people that the threat is real, they will force their leader's hands. Hoever, that would actually be a side benefit. His main motivation is anger at what he sees as unjust punishment about to be delivered by stupid authority. This is a bit of a reversion to Fredar's earlier days, where his companions (no matter how ong they have been his companions) deserve more loyalty than any established authority. He has grown up wiouth much respect for authority, and his first inclination when he feels that outlok has been proved right is to work against it any way he can.

By making the danger of the goblins clear to the crowd, poinitng out what was sacrificed to bring them the news, and how Nate is being punished for his efforts by someone who wants to ignore the danger, Fredar hopes to make it politically impossible/inexpedient for the sgt. to follow through with the lashing. At the same time, he still expects the lashing to happen, but hopes to set the Seventh up as the clear good guys in the eyes of the crowd if the whipping does happen.

 

[DrZombie]

Going a bit red around the ears after the remark from matron Honnis, Nate looks up at the compliment about the hinges. "They're still good, I hope, had a difficult job fixing those. You owe me a drink when I'm done with this. Lets go down to the town square. If the sarge thinks this is justice, let it be done in the open, where evryone can see what happens if you deny there's goblins stirring up trouble evrywhere." He then walks to the town square, greeting those he knows.

 

[Seonaid]

Garival follows the others out. When the group stops before the barracks, he lets the crowd surround him as he watches the proceedings. If these men speak true, this is more of a problem than even the most cautious of us suspected! I'll need to roust up another patrol, or two, he thinks grimly as the crowd swells. He wants to add his voice to the crowd's, but more than a few would recognize him. Much as I dislike it, I have to present a calm face and protect the people--from themselves, if necessary! He walks silently behind the others as they move to town square, alert to any danger that might be caused by this spectacle. Looks like I'll be spending more time here than I'd hoped.

 

[doghead]

The Sergeant and Reeve exit from the doors a little after the Landcarl. The sergeant looks puzzled to see the bulk of the Seventh still milling around the doors of the hall. He looks even more surprised to see Nate step off the steps and turn to walk down the street towards the town square. Something flashes across his face but is quickly gone.

"Whats going on here Corporal?" inquires the sergeant in a neutral tone.

"And we might ask you the same question?" retorts someone from the crowd.

"Afternoon to you Master Hillip. How are the lads?"

"Aye well enough, thank you Sergeant. But what about this news about them goblins. Sounds like they're getting ready for something."

This statement is meet with a loud chorus of agreement form the others in the crowd who have stopped to hear the exchange. The sergeant nods thoughtfully.

"Aye, thats the news that was brought," the sergeant responds slowly. "Seems to me that the council will be giving that some careful consideration over the night." He turns to the reeve who nods in agreement. "Wouldn't want to rush into things all hasty like. Hasty decisions being more oft bad ones."

Which is greetetd with a few quiet nods and muttered "Aye's".

"But I'll be putting two men on the watch tonight. One at each gate.

"Meanwhiles, I was thinking that these lads from the Seventh could do with some looking to, a little food and some time to clean up. If you can spare them for a while. Perhaps they would like to join you all later at the tavern, if they feel up to it. They deserve a night off after what they have been through. You might like to shout them a drink or two."

To which there is another chorus of agreement. Much of the tension has gone out of the crowd. The sergeant it seems, has a fairly deft touch with people when he wants to.

"And the whipping?" says Matron Honnis quietly, but clearly.

"Ah. Well it seems that young Ay'Tennars bravery outstrips his wisdom. It a hard thing, but good soldier needs to know his place. You can't have a soldier snapping at his commander, no matter how hard his day. But I'll make sure that Lady's cleric will be there to restore him. It won't be pleasant, but it won't do him no harm in the long run.

"So if you will allow me, there are things that need attending to before we can settle back for a drink. You might want to consider checking your own preparations for the morrow. I'm sure the Reeve will want to know where you all stand with food and all. And the Landcarl may have questions of his own."

And with that, if there are no further interjections, the sergeant asks the corporal gather up the Seventh, and Rhys if he is around, and escort them to the barracks.

 

[Seonaid]

Garival stops when the sergeant comes out and speaks with the crowd. He wavers, uncertain as to what to do, but the last comment decides for him. He moves back toward the sergeant and stops, waiting to see how everyone reacts.

 

[Maerdwyn]

Fredar keeps the scowl off his face. Slick bastard, isn't he. In the city, we have proper mobs - they would have shouted him down before he opened his mouth. Feh. Time to face the music. When appropriate, he moves with the others back to the barracks, still (a little childishly) sullen, but brightening a little at the thought of his first drink in days.

 

[Temujin]

Owen follows the group to the barracks. Goblins? Why did I have to come to, of all places, a town that is under threat of seige by a warband of goblins?

His mind churning away, he follows Rhys. Looking up at his friend, he swallows. All I have to do, is stay out of trouble... That's not so hard, is it? He thinks to himself.



[ooc: sorry, I was waiting for you to introduce me like you said you would. Oi, Stagger_Lee! I was also thinking that Owen and Rhys could have a little problem with 'playful' bets.]

 

[DrZombie]

Stoically, Nate returns to the barracks. Yeah right you basterd, show another face to the villagers, won't you, you two-faced snivelling coward. Let's get it over with, shall we.