Looking for Stories

[D'win]

Writing very fast, with short, crisp strokes, D'win keeps up with Savien very well and is pleased to learn that the ax is a noble weapon used only to defend.

"What a very beautiful story. I have never heard one told like that before. Know you said that the spirit in the ax may be a fallen angel. Well if that is the case I will simply transfer the story into my other book." With a scribble of her pen there is a flash of soft red light and she nods. There it is written in my other book as follows: The following is a Tale of Fate given to me by Savien, which contains (possibly) a Fallen Angel "Is that the way you wish it to be written?"

Then turning to Gerik, she laughs at him. "No you may not see my stories," then showing him the book, Gerik sees that there is not a single word written on the page, even as she flips through the entire book. "All that I write goes directly to my books in my study that is very far from here. That way the knowlege that is in them can not be stolen and sold. How would you like it if someone went and stole something of yours will you were sleeping? I do that so then stories are not stolen or smuged or destroyed.

Turning to Gerik she awaits his answer, as well as the anwsers and responds from Savien. She does all of this while playing with her dagger by making small holes in the table.

 

[Gerik]

"I can't see your stories?!" Then looking at the pages, he learns that he can not. There was nothing on any of the pages. "My, that is a fancy bit of magic you do there. Could you tell me how you do it? If you can't that is fine with me."

Then taking a drink of his whiskey, Gerik turns to Salvien. That was a great story, you say that you are not a worriar, that is strange that the Blade choose you. But the divine have never shown their ways to mortals, so you might be a worriar at heart. May I hold it or will it hurt me, I do not wish to die. I have many more adventures and a lordship of my own that I must protect and I am not just saying that to get your ax."

Smiling broadly he pats his hip and there is a wonderful blade, crafted of pure steel and a handle of bronze, gold and silver. "This blade was my father's, when he died my mother gave it to me and told me that it was made by a dwarf and an elf. The blade has never been sharpened, it seems to sharpen itself."

Laughing he sits back and drinks some more, then calling loudly for the bar wench to bring more.

 

[Savien]

Savien looks at the axe, and senses her approval, then looks to D'win and nods, telling her, " I think the tale would be fine for either book, and the axe is pleased. They are after all your books, so perhaps you would be the best judge."

He watches with amusement as D'win toys with Gerik. He seems a bit pushy, but otherwise tolerable. Savien can't hold that against him, as people often mistake his own pride for arrogance. Not surprised by Geril's questions, he looks his way and responds.

"I never said I was not a warrior, only that I had never handled a battle axe. As for touching her, I care not, but be warned, if there be the least amount of darkness in your heart, she will know it, and you will be sorry. As for taking it, you cannot. I have not met another who can even lift her from her place when I set her down. Remember, she chooses her wielder, not the other way around, and as far as I know there is only one at a time."

So saying he rests the ancient weapon on the table, and releases his grip, confident that if Gerik's intentions are ill, the weapon will defend itself. He also knows that if Gerik is a good man the weapon will not harm him, and will merely not allow him to lift her up. He then sits back and waits to find out what Gerik is made of, if he chooses to try.

 

[Gerik]

"I am sorry if I offended you, but I was just merely stating a question. No, I beileve that there is no darkness in my heart, but if revange for the murder of your parents is dark, then I dare not touch it. Like I said, I have my Lordship and my peoples that I must protect.

Here is your story MeLady. Inclining his head a bit to D'win he starts his story, When I was very young my father was murdered and that left only my mother and I to rule it. Seeing that I was only 14 and my mother a grieving widow, some muraders from a neighboring Lordship decieded that mine and my mother's would make a nice addition. So one evening, when I was about 16 or 17 they stormed my Keep and then proceeded to rape and murder my mother.

Pausing here, Gerik takes a drink of his whiskey and also takes a deep breath. After they had had their fun, they went looking for me, but my mistake had been I went charging after them when first I heard my mother scream. After they found me they took me and threw me out of my Lordship. When this all happened I was nothing more then a skinny youth that was muddy half of the time and the other half, I had my nose in a book.

Now I have trained as a worriar or I should say an avenger. I wish to take my Lordship back, for I am the rightful Lord and wish to have my nice Lordship back. Now do you see why I wish not to touch that blade. I have too many things riding on my shoulders, as do you, so let us keep and start a friendship?"

Holding out his right hand to Savien, he waits for the him to take his hand in friendship.

 

[Savien]

Savien is not surprised by Gerik's reluctance to touch the axe. He never thought Gerik was evil, as the axe is able to detect it and would have warned him. He lets the beautiful blade rest on the table, and pulls his lute in front of him and quietly strums a soothing tune as Gerik speaks. He listens politely and then reponds...

" I took no offense at your statement, as I was intentionally vague with mine. I thought it would make for a better story that way. I do not think vengance in and of itself makes one evil , rather how you enact it."

He sits and litstens to Gerik's tale. 'This one has had a rougher life than me', he thinks to himself. This is a sad tale and Savien thinks he would be rather vengful himself.

When Gerik finishes his tale he says, "I'm very sorry for your loss, and can sympathise for I also lost my mother at a young age." He thinks of his mother as he last saw her so long ago, and looks sad for a moment. "My father still lives, but has little to do with me. I hope you can bring justice to her killers, and put her soul to rest."

He smiles as Gerik offers the hand of friendship, and reaches out and clasps it with his own. The strenght of his grip, and the callouses from handling weapons, remove any doubt from Gerik's mind wether he is a warrior. He give Gerik a firm friendly handshake, and says, "One cannot have enough friends in this harsh world." Releasing his hand he sits back and says, "Perhaps you will favor us with the tale of how you came by your weapon, and I will buy the next round of drinks. Whiskey for you? I'll have a shot as well. And another wine for D'win?"

He calls for drinks, and sits back waiting for Gerik's answer. He wonders if D'win would like another from him.

 

[Savien]

(ps are Ronin and Silxa still here and can Savien see her?)

 

[D'win]

Writing down Gerik's story as he speaks, you see two tears come to her eyes. She is not an emotinal person or being, but when a story, such as Gerik's, is told, all she can do is shed a few tears. Then wiping them alway before they fall into her book, she speaks softly.

"I am sorry to hear of your loss, but would you, like Savien asked, tell us the tale of your blade? It would round this portion of the story off, since you told us that your mother gave it to you."

Laughing a bit she smiles at Savien's request to buy her a red wine. "I have my own store of this great red wine, but if you wish to buy me a drink of another nature, I would prefere a rum. I have never really cared for any other type of drink besides these two and a good tall glass of whiskey. But tonight, I will take a rum. Do either of you have a good natured story for my Book of Mortals, tonight all is well in the tavern and I feel happy."

This was the first night in many months that D'win had felt good, like she wanted to smile. Hoping that Savien would take her up on her offer, she waits. Both for the drink and a new story, be it of a blade or of good humor.

 

[Gerik]

Shaking his head a little, Gerik then laughs. "A drink would be nice, but I have had almost my limit, another will not hurt." Smiling at Savien and much relieved by the hand of friendship that had passed between them, Gerik let out a loud harty laugh.

"This night is starting to pick up, D'win will be having something more to drink, I am well on my way to getting drunk and we all have new friends. This night can't get any better." Then settling down a bit, putting his boots on the table, Gerik thinks about a story that would be funny or light hearted. "A good story about a romance would be good. What about a song...?Just then Gerik breaks into a humorus song about a river and a girl I came into Keepside, my fortune there I seek, I passed along the river Syne, her waters did they reek! 'Twas there I met a pretty lass, she said her name was Nell!... What did you think about that, is it funny enough for the both of you. Now I really have no meaning behind that song, it was one my men would sing in their camps late at night, after a few too many spirits.

I my self have never been in love, I kind of don't want to be. It looks like a dangerous thing to be in. I tell you, I would rather be facing an ogre, a goblin and any other horrible creature you could think of then be in love. Women, they cloud the mind.....worst then alcohal."

Then giving a great belch, Gerik settles aack, softly humming a diffrent tune and taking drinks inbetween the stanzaes.

 

[Savien]

Savien orders the next round, two whiskeys, and a rum. He is also beginning to think Gerik is near his limit. He finds the song mildly amusing, and in listening to it, seems to learn a bit more about Gerik.

"That was an interesting song, Gerik," he says, "but the lady never has said if songs can go into her books. Even so it was amusing."

He pauses for a moment, savoring the slow burn of the whiskey as he sips it, and thinks of a humorous story.

"Here is one for your book, Lady D'win. It is about some friends of mine. The first is a ranger, Lady Jade Brightstarr, and her husband, a wizard of no small power, Aaron."

"It all started during a journey they were taking to a kingdom near their home, in the elven woods. The two, along with some friends were travelling the rugged lands between the forest, and an impassable mountain range. It was here that they were beset by four rather large, and hungry, wyverns."

"Now in case you do not know what a wyvern is, it is a large, dragonlike creature. They lack forelimbs, but instead are equipped with a vicious poisonous stinger. They are also very cunning hunters, but not nearly so intelligent as a true dragon. This is an important part of the humor in this tale."

"As I was saying, the beasts attacked, most likely looking to steal a horse or two, and the company immediately responded with a volley of arrows. Since the wyverns would not land, arrows were the only means of attack. They were however of limited effect against the huge creatures. This is when Aaron got a devilish idea."

Savien could not hide a smile as he remembered being told this story himself. He had known the couple for some time, and was very familiar with Aaron's mischievious nature.

"As the wyverns banked, preparing for another pass, Aaron began chanting words of power. He lined up with a single wyvern, and unleashed his magic." Chuckling as he speaks, Savien says, "Imagine the surprise of the wyvern when it realized it could no longer stay aloft. "MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" shrieked the wyvern as it plummeted earthward in its new form. A cow!!"

"Hearing the startled cry of the helpless creature as it crashed through the trees, the other wyverns immediately wheeled away to devour it, not even pausing to consider where this creature had come from, or where the other wyvern had gone. In the meantime, the companions recovered from their laughter, and made good their escape."

Savien sits back then, watching his companions to see if they are amused by his story. He privately thinks it was a fitting end for so vile and dangerous a creature. His thoughts also move to Gerik. He is saddened that a man should shun love. He also finds women intoxicating, but finds it ironic that Geric has no fear of whiskey.

Looking to D'win he clears these thoughts, and asks,"What about you? Do you ever share any of the stories you have collected from others? Can you tell us any of yourself? Are you mortal, or perhaps one of these angels you write about?"

Curiosity glimmering in his amber eyes, he finishes his whiskey as he awaits a reply.

 

[Sir Trystan Gabriel]

The door to the tavern bangs open. A tall human in plate mail stands framed in the doorway, meaning heavily for support on his drawn sword. He is covered in blood, some of it his own. He limps through the door, sitting down at a nearby table, then drops the sword across it and removes his helmet, wincing as his hands raise above his shoulders.

Ale. I.....need.....ale......