[IC] Shamutani Hills - psi/gng

[doghead]

November 12, back on the road.

Horses and ponies are eventually saddle and mounted, farewells said and small gifts of fruit or smoked meat pressed into your hands as you head off out of the village. Glancing up you see that the sun is not quite at its zenith. With the horses rested and refreshed, you should arrive at the stead of Beck before sundown.

And so it proves, although a short detour down the wrong path at one point does mean the sun is approaching the horizon when the trees open up and the first fields of the stead appear before you. The stead is a sizable one. About a mile away a huge Great Hall holds the center of the stead. It is surrounded by numerous smaller buildings, including some as large as many of great halls in other steads. Numerous people work the fields and herds that you can see surrounding the central cluster of buildings.

You have all heard something of the stead of Beck and the man who commands the loyalty of those who live there. Sean Beck.

Sean Beck was one of the great warriors of the Analand. His name appears in many of the stories told by your fathers and uncles and grandfathers even. Three Rivers Running and The Burning of Cymara are the most well known tales which spring to mind. If the tales are true, then he is a bear of a man who few can lay a weapon on when he has a spear in hand. But for the last dozen years or so he has lived out here and shunned the city, although the stories don't speak to that.

As you move down the road, several people stop and watch and sometimes wave. But none make any move to intercept you. A moment later it becomes clear why. Three men on ponies emerge from the stead and gallop rapidly toward you. Unlike those in the fields, they wear armour and carry spears and swords, although they are carried lightly and tradition demands that visitors are treated with respect and given food and shelter so long as they come in peace. But then again, these are more troubled times than usual.

ooc: the terrain is fairly open and the riders about half a mile distant. It will take them about 5 minutes or so to reach you.

 

[Diirk]

"Looks like armed greeting parties are to be the new trend," murmurs Eric quietly. "I think I preferred it when all one had to worry about was a feral wolf threatening the chicken! Ah well, to parley!"

 

[doghead]

November 12, outside the Stead of Beck

The lead horsemen pulls up about 20 feet from you, his two companions about 10 feet on either side of him. Their mounts kick up clods of dirt and grass as they do so. The one in the center, a well built man with a black beard in braids, leans forwards in his saddle and considers you for a moment before breaking the silence.

"Ho strangers! Who comes the Stead of Beck and for what reason?"

While the mans tone is not exactly hostile, a more traditional greeting usually includes a welcome and introduction. Its not uncommon to ask a man if his intentions are friendly, honor requires that a person not lie. But ones reasons are not usually so directly asked for.

 

[Diirk]

Eric formally introduces himself, and the party. "As for our intentions, your stead is simply a stop on our journey. We were hoping to resupply and rest here so that we may continue afresh the next day, if that isn't too much of a imposition on your generous hospitality. If I may ask, who do I have the pleasure of speaking to ?"

 

[doghead]

November 12th, near the Stead of Beck.

The bearded one leans forwards in his saddle and his gazes flicks from one to the next as as Erik introduces the party. His brow furrows in thought.

"I am Sorren," the bearded one answers sullenly, as if surprised at being asked.

"Aye and of course you are welcome here." He cranks out a creaky smile. "I never ment to suggest otherwise. Its just that things have been a little unsettled of late, as you probably well know."

He frowns for a moment.

"There is not much beyond here but the Hills. You'd be heading that way I suppose?"

 

[Scotley]

Bendyn Human Fighter/Psion

Bendyn nods, but says nothing content to let Eric do the talking, but he wonders what sort of 'unsettling' things have been happening here.

 

[doghead]

November 12, the Stead of Beck.

*doghead casts Minor Post Count Buff.*

 

[doghead]

November 12, the Stead of Beck.

"Aye well, lets get you back then."

Sorren turns to one of his companions and tell him to ride on and inform the Housecarl who is coming. The man hells his horse and setts off at a canter. Sorron wheels his horse around also and sets off back towards the stead at a more leisurly pace. The other man falls in alongside you as you pass beside them. They prove to be a bit more gragerious than at first although the talk remains fairly small. They have been to the city once or twice, and inquire after people and places they know or know of. News of the theft of the stone has reached here, although the other man don't seem to draw any connection between that and your visit, and Sorren doesn't say anyhitng about it.

Eventually you reach the outer buildings of the stead. Instead of leading you to the great hall, Sorren veers off to the left. The afternoon chill is falling, and the smell of smoke and cooking is starting to fill the air. Sorren pulls up outside a small hall, probably a guest hall, set a little off on its own, about 70-80 yards from the Great Hall (although there are other buildings much closer). The double doors at the front are open, as are the shutters along the walls. Several people move around inside and the thick smoke of a new fire pours out of the chimney.

As you arrive, Sorren hails those inside and a balding man with a boyish face appears at the door.

"Ah, you must be the travellers from the city. We are expecting you I believe?"

Assuming that you confirm that it is so, he goes on.

"Welcome to the Stead of Beck. I am Aaron, Sean's Housecarl. Sean is somewhat tied up at the moment, but bids me to pass on his greetings and make sure that you are looked after. I thought that we would put you up here, its nice and quiet. We should be almost finished inside, and food will be along shortly. The stables here haven't been prepared, so the boys will stable your ponies with ours if that is all right. So grab anything you need and come in."

The hall consists of a single large room and several smaller 'rooms' at the rear, separated off from the main area by heavy hangings. The main room usually serving as a eating hall and dormitory for the warriors. Its a fairly typical guest hall for lords and their retainers, although a fair bit larger than may you have seen. There is more than enough room for all of you. As you arrive the Housecarl begins ushering out the others in the room. A moment later, there remains only yourselves, the Housecarl and Sorren.

"Well," Aaron says with a smile, "How is old Brucillious these days?"

 

[Diirk]

"Old," replies Eric with a wink. "Beyond that he's in good health, still much the same as ever."

 

[doghead]

Aaron, Housecarl of Beck.

Aaron ponders your response for a moment, as if unsure how to proceed.

"Bruscillious ... er, mentioned that some aquaintences of his would be passing this way a few days later ..."

He considers you expectantly.