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"Out of the Frying Pan" - Book I: Gathering Wood (reprise)
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<blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 61023" data-attributes="member: 11"><p><strong>Session #7-</strong></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 12px">Ralem, 15th of Ese – 564 H.E.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>Ratchis awoke with a raw and tender face. One eye was almost sealed shut, and his lower lip was even larger and puffier than usual. Achingly he got up and got dressed, finding his tent-mates (whom he had not even met yet were already up and gone). Outside, Crumb’s boys lined up for the small breakfast that Kinney and Horung served, while Kamir was busy packing supplies into the newly repaired wagons. Warren the Wainwright had worked through the night and had already headed back over the hills to the north in the morning. </p><p></p><p>Ratchis hobbled over to the chow line and took his place. </p><p></p><p>“Ratchis, right?” said one young man with black hair and a sailor’s permanent tan. He had the place right in front of the woodsman in line. </p><p></p><p>“Yes.” </p><p></p><p>“I’m Finn, Finn Fisher. We’re tent-mates, along with Frank and Gwar, here.” He pointed to the two shepherd brothers ahead of him. They looked warily at Ratchis, with weak smiles and turned back around. </p><p></p><p>“You know what I hate Square?” a familiar gravelly voice said from behind them. “Pig-f**kers.” (56)</p><p></p><p>Ratchis and Finn looked to see Devon, looking a bit weary, but not nearly in as bad of shape as Ratchis, waiting for food a few people back, with his short ugly friend. </p><p></p><p>“I mean, the thought of some human lying with one of those inhuman porkish orcish bastards is so disgusting, I don’t know if I can even eat my breakfast.” </p><p></p><p>Ratchis did not respond, but turned back around to grab a bowl and have the steaming porridge poured into it. </p><p></p><p>“Some of them may look more human than others, but even if they don’t have tusks like some people around here, they are still stinking sons of pig-f**kers. Gross!” </p><p></p><p>Ratchis walked away with Devon’s braying laughter echoing in his ears. </p><p></p><p>Later, as he packed his equipment onto the front wagon, where he’d be riding, Crumb approached him. </p><p>“The word around the camp is that you and Devon were fighting last night,” said Crumb. “Now, I already talked to Devon and he assured me there was no brawling. What do you say?” </p><p></p><p>“There was no brawling,” said Ratchis in his raspy voice, his lip stinging where it was swollen. </p><p></p><p>“Well, that’s good,” said the portly man, looking into Ratchis’ puffy eye. “I’d hate to think that someone I allowed to join this expedition would violate the conditions of its contract within moments of agreeing to them. I would hate to have to pursue something like that to the extent of law for breach of contract, but I would do it, if you understand me. But that really shouldn’t apply to you, since you aren’t going to be doing any fighting, right?” </p><p></p><p>“Right.” </p><p></p><p>-------- </p><p></p><p>The two wagons continued to make their way westward, stopping only for short rest and meals and for the night, camped on the side of the road. </p><p></p><p>That long day found the wagons moving through rolling plains with very little tree cover. The land looked like it might make for good farming, but was undeveloped. Late in the afternoon, they came to a wide river crossed by a wooden bridge. It was guarded by men in ring mail armor and leather helms, wielding long spears. Boris E. Crumb disembarked his wagon and spoke with the men and in a few moments the wagons creaked over the bridge and headed to copse of trees where camp was set up. A tower could be seen peeking from above the trees, perhaps a half-mile away. </p><p></p><p>“This is the town on Bountiful,” he said. “A trade center for local farms, not very big, but we will be stopping here for a day or so, to re-supply and re-gather our energies. There should be a market day tomorrow, and I encourage you all to explore, but please remember the terms of the contract you signed. Obey all local laws and no brawling. And please do not do anything to upset the Watch-Mage here.” (57)</p><p></p><p>Crumb’s boys spent what was left of the light gathering firewood, clearing areas for their camp fires and swimming in the nearby cold river. </p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Isilem, 16th of Ese – 564 H.E.</strong></span></p><p></p><p>It felt like it could be the last warm day of the year. The sunlight was streaming down on the young men, stretching and rubbing their eyes, lining up to get their eggs and bacon (quite a treat compared to the cold jerky and stale biscuits they normally got). There was also a resounding cheer when Horung announced that he and Kinney would be getting a good fat sheep to roast for dinner. </p><p></p><p>They could hear the market coming together in the village proper. The sound of animals being herded, hammers on wood as stalls were put up, and bright voices calling “hello” to one another drifted towards the camp. </p><p></p><p>“I was thinking that we should get Kamir some kind of gift,” said Kazrack.</p><p> </p><p>“What kind of gift?” asked Jeremy. </p><p></p><p>“I was thinking a set of cooking gear as a way to say thank you for everything he does for us,” said the dwarf. </p><p></p><p>“Why not get him a gift that is more just for him?” asked Jeremy. </p><p></p><p>“Maybe.” </p><p></p><p>“Ah say we git em uh womun,” said Chance, non-chalantly. </p><p></p><p>“What?” asked Kazrack. </p><p></p><p>“Uh womun, ta slep with, ya know. . . a womun,” repeated Chance. “We ken ahl chep in and git him a good one fear a night.” </p><p></p><p>“I want no part of this,” said Beorth walking away. </p><p></p><p>“It is not a bad idea,” said Jana, and her companions looked at her with some shock. “It might do someone like him some good.” </p><p></p><p>“I’d have no idea where to arrange for such a thing,” said Kazrack. “Would a little town like this have such… women?” </p><p></p><p>“Every town has such women,” said Jeremy with a sly smile. </p><p></p><p>“Lev it ta meh,” said Chance. “Ahll handle the whole thing. Ahm gun ta some cockfights. I ken find out tharr.” </p><p></p><p>“Cockfights?” said Kazrack puzzled. </p><p></p><p>“Oh, tahns like this ahlways ahve whores and cockfights, trust me. Ah just need 10 pesses o’ silver. Hand it over.” </p><p></p><p>“Ten silvers!” Kazrack exclaimed. </p><p></p><p>“That is only 3 each,” Chance said. </p><p></p><p>“You mean two, right?” Jana said with a smirk. </p><p></p><p>“Yeah, two.” </p><p></p><p>“Why so much?” Jeremy asked. </p><p></p><p>“Ah dun know whut kinda women ya be getting’ with, but the more ya pay da bettah ya git,” answered Chance. He turned to Jana. “Not that I know from personal experience, of course.” </p><p></p><p>He smiled. </p><p></p><p>“No, of course not,” Jana replied, moving her smirk over to the opposite corner of her mouth. </p><p>Chance collected what coins he could from his friends and then, they went to the market. </p><p>Meanwhile, Ratchis was eating his second helping of breakfast and talking with one of his tent-mates. </p><p>“You said your family name was Fisher. Is that what you do?” Ratchis asked the darked-haired fellow. </p><p></p><p>“Yes. I am. . .Uh, was a fisherman, like my father and his father and my uncles. I really miss it actually. Out on the water, wind in hair, Ra’s Glory warm on your skin. The pull of weight in your nets…” </p><p></p><p>Finn had a distant look on his face for a moment, and then remembered himself. “You ever fish?” he asked Ratchis. </p><p></p><p>“Yes, but using a pole and line, or a spear, never off a boat – just in streams and rivers,” the large man replied, wondering what any period of time on a ship must be like. </p><p>“So, uh,” Ratchis gulped back his usual inclination to not speak much. “What brings you here?” </p><p>“To Derome-Delem? Bad luck,” Finn laughed. “The war, I guess…” </p><p></p><p>“What war?” asked Ratchis. </p><p></p><p>“You don’t know about the civil war between Herman Land and the Black Islands? It has been going on for over a year!” Finn said with disbelief. </p><p></p><p>“I am from Derome-Delem. I didn’t know,” said Ratchis, meekly. </p><p></p><p>“Oh, well. Yeah, they are conscripting like mad down there. The village of Corbay, which is where I am from – just out of Verdun – was doing a pretty good job of hiding all its men to keep them from being conscripted, but I had to enter the city and got caught. It was either this or war. But maybe war would have been better, I would have died at sea most likely, as opposed to this hellhole. No offense.” </p><p></p><p>“Why would your village do that? Do they not feel any loyalty to Herman Land?” Ratchis asked, puzzled. </p><p></p><p>“Well, a village needs its men, and when it comes down to it, are the Black Islands worth keeping? No one like them anyway, and people say they even worship…” he whispered the last word. “Set. I’m just saying that no one liked them anyway, so why not let them go their own way?” </p><p></p><p>Ratchis did not reply, but went outside to practice with his quarterstaff. After a few minutes of practiced dodging, feigning, thrusting, parrying, blocking, spinning, Ratchis noticed one of Crumb’s boys watching him eagerly. He had dark skin, and short black curly hair. </p><p></p><p>Ratchis stopped and said, “Do you know how to use one?” He offered the staff. </p><p></p><p>Carlos took the staff saying, “Puedo luchar con el palillo grueso también.” </p><p></p><p>Ratchis looked puzzled, but motioned that Carlos should try out the staff. </p><p></p><p>“I am named Carlos,” the young man said, in a thick accent and with a smile. He entered a defensive stance and twirled the staff once, taking a few practice swings. </p><p></p><p>“I am Ratchis. Want to spar?” </p><p></p><p>It was Carlos’ turn to look confused, but he smiled and practiced a parry. Ratchis pulled out his short sword and stepped forward. Carlos dropped the quarterstaff with a frightened look and stepped away. </p><p></p><p>Ratchis sighed. “No,” he said, and motioned for Carlos to pick up the staff. Carlos did so hesitantly. </p><p>Ratchis stepped forward and hit his sword against one end of the staff. Hesitantly, Carlos brought the other end of the staff around and Ratchis slowly ducked, but in a few moments the two of them were exchanging hurried but careful blows, stopping to show each other what he had just done and in general having a good time. </p><p></p><p>Sweating and out of breath, they slapped each other on the back. </p><p></p><p>“Gracias, um… Thank you,” said Carlos, handing back the staff. “Podemos hacerlo otravez otro dia?” </p><p>Ratchis shook his head, not understanding. </p><p></p><p>“Again?” Carlos said gesturing. </p><p></p><p>“Sure, another time,” said Ratchis. </p><p></p><p>The outdoorsman went down to the river and washed up a bit, and then headed to the town market where the others had already been for a while. </p><p></p><p>----------------------------- </p><p></p><p>Beorth, Kazrack, Jeremy, Jana and Chance went up to the market, quickly splitting up to check different sights, after buying pieces of grilled mutton on a stick, covered in a very spicy sauce. The people of Bountiful did not seem overly friendly, seeming to enjoy the market and greeting each other warmly, but ignoring the companions as they walked between the stalls. Kazrack went to look at bows, taking a few shots on the practice range that had been set up. Beorth went with the dwarf, not having anything to do. Chance who had bought a <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> before anyone knew what was happening went off to find some fight and look into acquiring a woman for Kamir. Jana went to purchase some salt and other herbs and spices, while Jeremy went to find the smith and get his armor repaired some. </p><p></p><p>Kazrack and Beorth moved on to where the livestock was kept, as the dwarf was interested in getting a mule or pony for the trip. </p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, at the provisioner’s stall Jana was having a strange encounter: The young girl asked the elderly couple for salt. </p><p></p><p>“How much do you need?” the kindly old man asked. </p><p></p><p>“ A half-pound,” Jana replied. </p><p></p><p>“Ya know, if you wanna salt meat for preserving you are going to need more than that,” the man said. </p><p></p><p>“No, it is just for my own consumption. I like my food very salty.” </p><p></p><p>“Funny, you are the second person in two days to say the exact same thing,” the old man said, casually. </p><p></p><p>Intrigued, Jana raised an eyebrow, “Really? Who was it?” </p><p></p><p>“Oh, just some other stranger to town. It was a thin and dark haired man,” the old man replied. </p><p>Jana scrunched up her pretty face in apprehension. She paid for the package of salt, and then walked towards the herbalist’s table, looking around her carefully, through the crowd of farmers and vendors. </p><p></p><p>The herbalist was a middle-aged man with dark hair and a care-worn face. He sat smashing some herbs in a mortar and pestle. Jana looked over his goods, tucking her sun-tinted brown her ear, but found little that that could help her. </p><p></p><p>“Do you have essence of narcissus flower?” Jana asked </p><p></p><p>The man looked up, his face was a web of lines and creases, and his eyes were dark. He cocked his head when he saw the young girl. </p><p></p><p>“I may have some, let me look in my satchel,” he said. He bent behind the stall and began to rummage in a bag, but did not take his eyes off Jana. </p><p></p><p>“Never seen you around before, where are you from?” he asked. </p><p></p><p>“Herman Land,” Jana replied, noticed some ginger root, which was supposed to help ease upset stomach. She placed some aside, along with willow bark. </p><p></p><p>“Um, Westron?” the man asked coming up with the ingredient she asked for. </p><p>Jana was taken aback by the question. </p><p></p><p>“How did you know?” she asked with building suspicion. </p><p></p><p>“Oh, just a guess,” the man said nervously. He picked up what she had picked out and began to wrap it up. </p><p></p><p>“What’s your name?” he asked. </p><p></p><p>Jana handed over her few copper coins for the goods and then hesitantly said, “Jana.” </p><p></p><p>The man took the money and then said, ‘Thank you. Uh, I have to go,” and leaving his table unattended began to walk off. </p><p></p><p>Jana had hoped this might be the result and followed at a safe distance. </p><p></p><p>The man made his way through the market throng; past the jugglers and fire-eater and the old woman selling clay pots stylized with cats in a myriad of poses and to the local inn. He slipped in the front door and disappeared inside. </p><p></p><p>Jana waited a moment, unsure of what to do, but with a mental command, her unseen companion slipped down from her usual perch under the girl’s cloak, out underneath her skirt and skittered across the path and beneath the crack of the door. </p><p></p><p>She heard the soft hissing voice in her head whisper “Man go up,” and Jana decided to call her little friend back rather than risk her going into possible danger. </p><p></p><p>Alert to possible danger, Jana went back into the market to meet up with her companions. </p><p></p><p>--- </p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, Kazrack had not found any of the animals to be to his liking or in his price range, so he wandered off to the smithy to offer his services for the day and earn some extra coin. </p><p></p><p>By this time Ratchis had entered town and wandered into the market. The people of Bountiful looked fearfully at the tall and scarred man and gave him a wide berth. He stood nearly a full head above most people here. He two sticks of the roasted mutton on a stick and devoured them hungrily. He then stood in line by the keg someone was selling flagons of mead from, and getting the first he immediately returned to line to drink as he waited for a second. </p><p></p><p>He had just gotten his second flagon, when the others caught up to him. Jana, Beorth and Chance gathered together with the newest companion. Ratchis had not been able resist the charming effects of the smell of fresh-baked pies and had purchased an entire pumpkin pie. He shared a piece with Beorth and one with Jeremy. Jana refused the last quarter, so Ratchis ate it hungrily. </p><p></p><p>It was then that they noticed a tall woman, walking in their direction. She was lithe and pale, with her long light brown hair in a single thick braid that fell down her back. She had a freckled face that was just barely on the pretty side of plain. She wore robes of various shades of lavender and carried a staff. Everyone seemed to know her and she seemed to know everyone. She greeted everyone by name as they waved to her. </p><p></p><p>“Good day, Alexandra!” they called to her. </p><p></p><p>The woman walked past the four companions and smiled, nodding, but as she passed she turned and looked at Ratchis and the her gaze fell on Jana and lingered there for a long moment, until she turned her head again to smile and wave at another villager. </p><p></p><p>“I wonder who she is?” wondered Jeremy, aloud. </p><p></p><p>Jana, Jeremy, Ratchis and Beorth walked over to a stall where knives were being sold and Jana bought one. And then decided to head back to camp. </p><p></p><p>“Hold on,” said Beorth, and then walked back to get a candied apple. “I figured I’d give this to Kamir. He deserves a treat.” </p><p></p><p>The four them walked back to camp and Beorth hunted down Kamir. </p><p></p><p>“Kamir, this is for you,” Jeremy said handing him the candied apple. </p><p></p><p>The permanent smile of the red-cheeked round-faced boy shrunk into one of astonishment; his mouth a perfect “O”. </p><p></p><p>“Really? This is for me?” Kamir’s smile returned. </p><p></p><p>“Yeah, sure, take it,” Beorth said. Kamir took hold of the candied apple’s stick. </p><p></p><p>“Um, no one has ever given me anything my whole life. Thank you. Thank you,” a tear slipped down the boy’s chubby cheek. </p><p></p><p>“Think nothing of it. I just thought you’d like a treat of some kind,” Beorth said, awkwardly patting Kamir’s shoulder.</p><p></p><p>Kamir licked the apple two or three times, and then took a very small nibble. </p><p></p><p>“I think I’ll save more for later. I have to finish distributing the wood for the fires. This will be great for dessert.” He stuck the candied apple stick into the ground before the tent he shared with Jeremy and Chance. </p><p></p><p>“Thanks again,” he said to Beorth with a wave, and then ran off to finish his chores.</p><p></p><p>--- </p><p></p><p>At that moment, throughout the camp could hear the sound of young voices. A few more than a dozen boys broke through the brush in a jog. They carried wooden sticks with a wooden frame appended to one end with a net across it to create a pocket. They flung a ball between them as they ran. </p><p></p><p>“Hey, where are you going?” Jeremy asked a passing boy. </p><p></p><p>“We are going to play a game of <em>Stick & Nets</em>,” the boy said. “Wanna come? We are one man short.” (58)</p><p></p><p>“You’d have to teach me how to play,” Jeremy said, trying to hide his excitement. </p><p></p><p>“Well, you are kind of big so you can be on our team. I’ll get you an extra stick. I’ll explain the rules as we head down to the field.” </p><p></p><p>Jeremy joined the boys that ranged in age from 13 to 16 and fumbled the stick, trying to get the hang of “cradling” the ball in the net. </p><p></p><p>Jana and Beorth decided to follow and watch, along with a few others of Crumb’s boys and a bunch of parents and younger siblings of the two teams of boys. </p><p></p><p>The boys had two large woven baskets weighed down with rocks set up as goals. Jeremy found the game fascinating, if not a bit painful, as he soon learned, “you may hit your opponent’s stick with your when he has the ball, and oh, your hands are considered part of the stick.” It was interrupted a lot by callings of “off-sides” and more than once Jeremy realized that it was he who made there be too many members of his team be on the opponent’s side of the field. They had him playing defense, but somehow, he found that he was taking most of the abuse and boys seemed to target him with their checking. </p><p></p><p>As Beorth and Jana watched and laughed (well, actually Jana did most of the laughing, Beorth smiled once or twice) a few more villagers arrived to watch the game. Among them was the woman they had seen earlier in the village, with her staff and lavender robes. She greeted several on-lookers and then began to walk over to Beorth and Jana, walked away as the woman approached, making as if she were trying to watch the action by one goal a little closer. </p><p></p><p>“Good day and well met,” the woman said, raising one hand. </p><p></p><p>“Well met,” said Beorth. </p><p></p><p>“I am Alexandra the Lavender, Watch-Mage of Bountiful,” she said. “I take it you are here with the caravan of men going up to the Little Kingdoms. </p><p></p><p>“Gothanius, yes,” said Beorth. “I am Beorth, servant of Anubis.” </p><p></p><p>They shook hands. </p><p></p><p>“I noticed your companion; the girl. She is here with the group, too?” </p><p></p><p>“Um, yes. Why do you ask?” said Beorth with curiosity. </p><p></p><p>“Well, a man came through town only a day or two ago and was asking for a girl that fits her description. He was harassing some townsfolk, so I had to ask him to leave. He seemed very intent on finding her,” Alexandra explained. </p><p></p><p>“Really? Well, she has never mentioned anything like that to us,” Beorth said. “Come on, let’s ask her.” </p><p></p><p>He led the Watch-Mage over to Jana. </p><p></p><p>“Jana, this is the local Watch-Mage, Alexandra the Lavender,” Beorth introduced.</p><p> </p><p>Jana met the tall woman’s eyes hesitantly. She felt as if Alexandra were examining her closely as if to find out something specific about her. </p><p></p><p>“Hello,” said Jana. </p><p></p><p>“Well met, Jana. I was just explaining to Beorth here, that a man came through town a couple of days ago and he was looking for someone that matches your description.” </p><p></p><p>“Really? Must be a coincidence. I don’t know of anyone that would be looking for me,” Jana said, innocently. </p><p></p><p>“Are you sure? It seems like a strange coincidence,” Alexandra said, skeptically. “He spoke with several people in town and I later discovered that several of them were charmed. I needed to break the enchantments, but it was difficult in some cases. There may even be some people left under his spell, but I have not yet discovered them.” </p><p></p><p>“Well, I have no idea about it,” Jana said with a tone of annoyance. </p><p></p><p>“It is good that you were able to break these enchantments, but really we have no idea who this man might be. And we haven’t heard anything about someone looking for Jana. It must be a coincidence,” said Beorth. </p><p></p><p>“Well, as Watch-Mage of Bountiful it is my responsibility to investigate anyone or anything that might be a danger to it. I’m sorry if I seem intrusive. Please enjoy your stay in Bountiful, and if I can help you somehow do not hesitate to find me. My tower can be seen from anywhere in town. And if you do learn anything about this man, please let me know. Good day!” Alexandra said pleasantly and walked off. </p><p></p><p>A young boy ran up to her and she walked away, and she scooped him up into her arms and playfully tweaked his nose. </p><p></p><p>The game of Sticks & Nets continued. Jeremy was moved to a mid-field position, and actually got a chance to score, but the abuse was laid upon him even more. Finally, the game was over and Jeremy’s team did win, though he did not score even one goal. Happy, but aching, he walked back to camp with Beorth and Jana for supper. They ran into Ratchis, who had spent the afternoon hiking in the small wooded areas about Bountiful, and feeding squirrels and groundhogs. </p><p></p><p>Everyone was waiting on the chow line, when Kazrack returned from his day of work at the smithy. He ran into Kamir, who was bringing buckets of fresh water up from the river. </p><p></p><p>“Hey, Kamir! How’d ya like your gift?” Kazrack said with a sly smile. </p><p></p><p>“My gift?” Kamir looked puzzled for a minute. </p><p></p><p>“Oh, I loved it,” he said, remembering the candied apple with a broad smile. “It was the best gift I ever got!” </p><p></p><p>“Oh, good I am glad!” Kazrack said. “You had fun?” </p><p></p><p>“Yeah, it was nice. I had some and then I had some later. I shared some of it with a few of the other guys too.” </p><p></p><p>Kazrack was taken aback. “Oh, really? That is very generous of you.” </p><p></p><p>“Well, what good is a gift you can’t share it with others right?” Kamir said. </p><p>“I guess,” the dwarf replied. </p><p></p><p>“I have to go. These buckets are getting heavy. Thanks of asking!” Kamir said, as he clambered away. </p><p></p><p>Kazrack went to get some dinner before it was all gone, perplexed by the oddities of humans. </p><p></p><p>----------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p><strong>Notes</strong>:</p><p></p><p>(56) “Pig-F*cker” and son of a “Pig-f*cker” are both common insults for those of orcish lineage.</p><p></p><p>(57) Watch-Mages are graduates of the Academy of Wizardry, who are assigned to guide and watch over specific towns and areas. The local government of Thricia is based solely on the power of the Watch-Mage. For more info on the <a href="http://www.matantisi.com/aquerra/organizations/academy.htm"" target="_blank">Academy of Wizardry</a> see <a href="http://www.aquerra.com" target="_blank">www.aquerra.com</a>.</p><p></p><p>(58) <em>Sticks & Nets</em> is a game said to originate in Thricia. It is very similar to our own game of lacrosse.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="el-remmen, post: 61023, member: 11"] [b]Session #7-[/b] [b][size=3]Ralem, 15th of Ese – 564 H.E.[/size][/b] Ratchis awoke with a raw and tender face. One eye was almost sealed shut, and his lower lip was even larger and puffier than usual. Achingly he got up and got dressed, finding his tent-mates (whom he had not even met yet were already up and gone). Outside, Crumb’s boys lined up for the small breakfast that Kinney and Horung served, while Kamir was busy packing supplies into the newly repaired wagons. Warren the Wainwright had worked through the night and had already headed back over the hills to the north in the morning. Ratchis hobbled over to the chow line and took his place. “Ratchis, right?” said one young man with black hair and a sailor’s permanent tan. He had the place right in front of the woodsman in line. “Yes.” “I’m Finn, Finn Fisher. We’re tent-mates, along with Frank and Gwar, here.” He pointed to the two shepherd brothers ahead of him. They looked warily at Ratchis, with weak smiles and turned back around. “You know what I hate Square?” a familiar gravelly voice said from behind them. “Pig-f**kers.” (56) Ratchis and Finn looked to see Devon, looking a bit weary, but not nearly in as bad of shape as Ratchis, waiting for food a few people back, with his short ugly friend. “I mean, the thought of some human lying with one of those inhuman porkish orcish bastards is so disgusting, I don’t know if I can even eat my breakfast.” Ratchis did not respond, but turned back around to grab a bowl and have the steaming porridge poured into it. “Some of them may look more human than others, but even if they don’t have tusks like some people around here, they are still stinking sons of pig-f**kers. Gross!” Ratchis walked away with Devon’s braying laughter echoing in his ears. Later, as he packed his equipment onto the front wagon, where he’d be riding, Crumb approached him. “The word around the camp is that you and Devon were fighting last night,” said Crumb. “Now, I already talked to Devon and he assured me there was no brawling. What do you say?” “There was no brawling,” said Ratchis in his raspy voice, his lip stinging where it was swollen. “Well, that’s good,” said the portly man, looking into Ratchis’ puffy eye. “I’d hate to think that someone I allowed to join this expedition would violate the conditions of its contract within moments of agreeing to them. I would hate to have to pursue something like that to the extent of law for breach of contract, but I would do it, if you understand me. But that really shouldn’t apply to you, since you aren’t going to be doing any fighting, right?” “Right.” -------- The two wagons continued to make their way westward, stopping only for short rest and meals and for the night, camped on the side of the road. That long day found the wagons moving through rolling plains with very little tree cover. The land looked like it might make for good farming, but was undeveloped. Late in the afternoon, they came to a wide river crossed by a wooden bridge. It was guarded by men in ring mail armor and leather helms, wielding long spears. Boris E. Crumb disembarked his wagon and spoke with the men and in a few moments the wagons creaked over the bridge and headed to copse of trees where camp was set up. A tower could be seen peeking from above the trees, perhaps a half-mile away. “This is the town on Bountiful,” he said. “A trade center for local farms, not very big, but we will be stopping here for a day or so, to re-supply and re-gather our energies. There should be a market day tomorrow, and I encourage you all to explore, but please remember the terms of the contract you signed. Obey all local laws and no brawling. And please do not do anything to upset the Watch-Mage here.” (57) Crumb’s boys spent what was left of the light gathering firewood, clearing areas for their camp fires and swimming in the nearby cold river. [size=3][b]Isilem, 16th of Ese – 564 H.E.[/b][/size] It felt like it could be the last warm day of the year. The sunlight was streaming down on the young men, stretching and rubbing their eyes, lining up to get their eggs and bacon (quite a treat compared to the cold jerky and stale biscuits they normally got). There was also a resounding cheer when Horung announced that he and Kinney would be getting a good fat sheep to roast for dinner. They could hear the market coming together in the village proper. The sound of animals being herded, hammers on wood as stalls were put up, and bright voices calling “hello” to one another drifted towards the camp. “I was thinking that we should get Kamir some kind of gift,” said Kazrack. “What kind of gift?” asked Jeremy. “I was thinking a set of cooking gear as a way to say thank you for everything he does for us,” said the dwarf. “Why not get him a gift that is more just for him?” asked Jeremy. “Maybe.” “Ah say we git em uh womun,” said Chance, non-chalantly. “What?” asked Kazrack. “Uh womun, ta slep with, ya know. . . a womun,” repeated Chance. “We ken ahl chep in and git him a good one fear a night.” “I want no part of this,” said Beorth walking away. “It is not a bad idea,” said Jana, and her companions looked at her with some shock. “It might do someone like him some good.” “I’d have no idea where to arrange for such a thing,” said Kazrack. “Would a little town like this have such… women?” “Every town has such women,” said Jeremy with a sly smile. “Lev it ta meh,” said Chance. “Ahll handle the whole thing. Ahm gun ta some cockfights. I ken find out tharr.” “Cockfights?” said Kazrack puzzled. “Oh, tahns like this ahlways ahve whores and cockfights, trust me. Ah just need 10 pesses o’ silver. Hand it over.” “Ten silvers!” Kazrack exclaimed. “That is only 3 each,” Chance said. “You mean two, right?” Jana said with a smirk. “Yeah, two.” “Why so much?” Jeremy asked. “Ah dun know whut kinda women ya be getting’ with, but the more ya pay da bettah ya git,” answered Chance. He turned to Jana. “Not that I know from personal experience, of course.” He smiled. “No, of course not,” Jana replied, moving her smirk over to the opposite corner of her mouth. Chance collected what coins he could from his friends and then, they went to the market. Meanwhile, Ratchis was eating his second helping of breakfast and talking with one of his tent-mates. “You said your family name was Fisher. Is that what you do?” Ratchis asked the darked-haired fellow. “Yes. I am. . .Uh, was a fisherman, like my father and his father and my uncles. I really miss it actually. Out on the water, wind in hair, Ra’s Glory warm on your skin. The pull of weight in your nets…” Finn had a distant look on his face for a moment, and then remembered himself. “You ever fish?” he asked Ratchis. “Yes, but using a pole and line, or a spear, never off a boat – just in streams and rivers,” the large man replied, wondering what any period of time on a ship must be like. “So, uh,” Ratchis gulped back his usual inclination to not speak much. “What brings you here?” “To Derome-Delem? Bad luck,” Finn laughed. “The war, I guess…” “What war?” asked Ratchis. “You don’t know about the civil war between Herman Land and the Black Islands? It has been going on for over a year!” Finn said with disbelief. “I am from Derome-Delem. I didn’t know,” said Ratchis, meekly. “Oh, well. Yeah, they are conscripting like mad down there. The village of Corbay, which is where I am from – just out of Verdun – was doing a pretty good job of hiding all its men to keep them from being conscripted, but I had to enter the city and got caught. It was either this or war. But maybe war would have been better, I would have died at sea most likely, as opposed to this hellhole. No offense.” “Why would your village do that? Do they not feel any loyalty to Herman Land?” Ratchis asked, puzzled. “Well, a village needs its men, and when it comes down to it, are the Black Islands worth keeping? No one like them anyway, and people say they even worship…” he whispered the last word. “Set. I’m just saying that no one liked them anyway, so why not let them go their own way?” Ratchis did not reply, but went outside to practice with his quarterstaff. After a few minutes of practiced dodging, feigning, thrusting, parrying, blocking, spinning, Ratchis noticed one of Crumb’s boys watching him eagerly. He had dark skin, and short black curly hair. Ratchis stopped and said, “Do you know how to use one?” He offered the staff. Carlos took the staff saying, “Puedo luchar con el palillo grueso también.” Ratchis looked puzzled, but motioned that Carlos should try out the staff. “I am named Carlos,” the young man said, in a thick accent and with a smile. He entered a defensive stance and twirled the staff once, taking a few practice swings. “I am Ratchis. Want to spar?” It was Carlos’ turn to look confused, but he smiled and practiced a parry. Ratchis pulled out his short sword and stepped forward. Carlos dropped the quarterstaff with a frightened look and stepped away. Ratchis sighed. “No,” he said, and motioned for Carlos to pick up the staff. Carlos did so hesitantly. Ratchis stepped forward and hit his sword against one end of the staff. Hesitantly, Carlos brought the other end of the staff around and Ratchis slowly ducked, but in a few moments the two of them were exchanging hurried but careful blows, stopping to show each other what he had just done and in general having a good time. Sweating and out of breath, they slapped each other on the back. “Gracias, um… Thank you,” said Carlos, handing back the staff. “Podemos hacerlo otravez otro dia?” Ratchis shook his head, not understanding. “Again?” Carlos said gesturing. “Sure, another time,” said Ratchis. The outdoorsman went down to the river and washed up a bit, and then headed to the town market where the others had already been for a while. ----------------------------- Beorth, Kazrack, Jeremy, Jana and Chance went up to the market, quickly splitting up to check different sights, after buying pieces of grilled mutton on a stick, covered in a very spicy sauce. The people of Bountiful did not seem overly friendly, seeming to enjoy the market and greeting each other warmly, but ignoring the companions as they walked between the stalls. Kazrack went to look at bows, taking a few shots on the practice range that had been set up. Beorth went with the dwarf, not having anything to do. Chance who had bought a :):):):) before anyone knew what was happening went off to find some fight and look into acquiring a woman for Kamir. Jana went to purchase some salt and other herbs and spices, while Jeremy went to find the smith and get his armor repaired some. Kazrack and Beorth moved on to where the livestock was kept, as the dwarf was interested in getting a mule or pony for the trip. Meanwhile, at the provisioner’s stall Jana was having a strange encounter: The young girl asked the elderly couple for salt. “How much do you need?” the kindly old man asked. “ A half-pound,” Jana replied. “Ya know, if you wanna salt meat for preserving you are going to need more than that,” the man said. “No, it is just for my own consumption. I like my food very salty.” “Funny, you are the second person in two days to say the exact same thing,” the old man said, casually. Intrigued, Jana raised an eyebrow, “Really? Who was it?” “Oh, just some other stranger to town. It was a thin and dark haired man,” the old man replied. Jana scrunched up her pretty face in apprehension. She paid for the package of salt, and then walked towards the herbalist’s table, looking around her carefully, through the crowd of farmers and vendors. The herbalist was a middle-aged man with dark hair and a care-worn face. He sat smashing some herbs in a mortar and pestle. Jana looked over his goods, tucking her sun-tinted brown her ear, but found little that that could help her. “Do you have essence of narcissus flower?” Jana asked The man looked up, his face was a web of lines and creases, and his eyes were dark. He cocked his head when he saw the young girl. “I may have some, let me look in my satchel,” he said. He bent behind the stall and began to rummage in a bag, but did not take his eyes off Jana. “Never seen you around before, where are you from?” he asked. “Herman Land,” Jana replied, noticed some ginger root, which was supposed to help ease upset stomach. She placed some aside, along with willow bark. “Um, Westron?” the man asked coming up with the ingredient she asked for. Jana was taken aback by the question. “How did you know?” she asked with building suspicion. “Oh, just a guess,” the man said nervously. He picked up what she had picked out and began to wrap it up. “What’s your name?” he asked. Jana handed over her few copper coins for the goods and then hesitantly said, “Jana.” The man took the money and then said, ‘Thank you. Uh, I have to go,” and leaving his table unattended began to walk off. Jana had hoped this might be the result and followed at a safe distance. The man made his way through the market throng; past the jugglers and fire-eater and the old woman selling clay pots stylized with cats in a myriad of poses and to the local inn. He slipped in the front door and disappeared inside. Jana waited a moment, unsure of what to do, but with a mental command, her unseen companion slipped down from her usual perch under the girl’s cloak, out underneath her skirt and skittered across the path and beneath the crack of the door. She heard the soft hissing voice in her head whisper “Man go up,” and Jana decided to call her little friend back rather than risk her going into possible danger. Alert to possible danger, Jana went back into the market to meet up with her companions. --- Meanwhile, Kazrack had not found any of the animals to be to his liking or in his price range, so he wandered off to the smithy to offer his services for the day and earn some extra coin. By this time Ratchis had entered town and wandered into the market. The people of Bountiful looked fearfully at the tall and scarred man and gave him a wide berth. He stood nearly a full head above most people here. He two sticks of the roasted mutton on a stick and devoured them hungrily. He then stood in line by the keg someone was selling flagons of mead from, and getting the first he immediately returned to line to drink as he waited for a second. He had just gotten his second flagon, when the others caught up to him. Jana, Beorth and Chance gathered together with the newest companion. Ratchis had not been able resist the charming effects of the smell of fresh-baked pies and had purchased an entire pumpkin pie. He shared a piece with Beorth and one with Jeremy. Jana refused the last quarter, so Ratchis ate it hungrily. It was then that they noticed a tall woman, walking in their direction. She was lithe and pale, with her long light brown hair in a single thick braid that fell down her back. She had a freckled face that was just barely on the pretty side of plain. She wore robes of various shades of lavender and carried a staff. Everyone seemed to know her and she seemed to know everyone. She greeted everyone by name as they waved to her. “Good day, Alexandra!” they called to her. The woman walked past the four companions and smiled, nodding, but as she passed she turned and looked at Ratchis and the her gaze fell on Jana and lingered there for a long moment, until she turned her head again to smile and wave at another villager. “I wonder who she is?” wondered Jeremy, aloud. Jana, Jeremy, Ratchis and Beorth walked over to a stall where knives were being sold and Jana bought one. And then decided to head back to camp. “Hold on,” said Beorth, and then walked back to get a candied apple. “I figured I’d give this to Kamir. He deserves a treat.” The four them walked back to camp and Beorth hunted down Kamir. “Kamir, this is for you,” Jeremy said handing him the candied apple. The permanent smile of the red-cheeked round-faced boy shrunk into one of astonishment; his mouth a perfect “O”. “Really? This is for me?” Kamir’s smile returned. “Yeah, sure, take it,” Beorth said. Kamir took hold of the candied apple’s stick. “Um, no one has ever given me anything my whole life. Thank you. Thank you,” a tear slipped down the boy’s chubby cheek. “Think nothing of it. I just thought you’d like a treat of some kind,” Beorth said, awkwardly patting Kamir’s shoulder. Kamir licked the apple two or three times, and then took a very small nibble. “I think I’ll save more for later. I have to finish distributing the wood for the fires. This will be great for dessert.” He stuck the candied apple stick into the ground before the tent he shared with Jeremy and Chance. “Thanks again,” he said to Beorth with a wave, and then ran off to finish his chores. --- At that moment, throughout the camp could hear the sound of young voices. A few more than a dozen boys broke through the brush in a jog. They carried wooden sticks with a wooden frame appended to one end with a net across it to create a pocket. They flung a ball between them as they ran. “Hey, where are you going?” Jeremy asked a passing boy. “We are going to play a game of [i]Stick & Nets[/i],” the boy said. “Wanna come? We are one man short.” (58) “You’d have to teach me how to play,” Jeremy said, trying to hide his excitement. “Well, you are kind of big so you can be on our team. I’ll get you an extra stick. I’ll explain the rules as we head down to the field.” Jeremy joined the boys that ranged in age from 13 to 16 and fumbled the stick, trying to get the hang of “cradling” the ball in the net. Jana and Beorth decided to follow and watch, along with a few others of Crumb’s boys and a bunch of parents and younger siblings of the two teams of boys. The boys had two large woven baskets weighed down with rocks set up as goals. Jeremy found the game fascinating, if not a bit painful, as he soon learned, “you may hit your opponent’s stick with your when he has the ball, and oh, your hands are considered part of the stick.” It was interrupted a lot by callings of “off-sides” and more than once Jeremy realized that it was he who made there be too many members of his team be on the opponent’s side of the field. They had him playing defense, but somehow, he found that he was taking most of the abuse and boys seemed to target him with their checking. As Beorth and Jana watched and laughed (well, actually Jana did most of the laughing, Beorth smiled once or twice) a few more villagers arrived to watch the game. Among them was the woman they had seen earlier in the village, with her staff and lavender robes. She greeted several on-lookers and then began to walk over to Beorth and Jana, walked away as the woman approached, making as if she were trying to watch the action by one goal a little closer. “Good day and well met,” the woman said, raising one hand. “Well met,” said Beorth. “I am Alexandra the Lavender, Watch-Mage of Bountiful,” she said. “I take it you are here with the caravan of men going up to the Little Kingdoms. “Gothanius, yes,” said Beorth. “I am Beorth, servant of Anubis.” They shook hands. “I noticed your companion; the girl. She is here with the group, too?” “Um, yes. Why do you ask?” said Beorth with curiosity. “Well, a man came through town only a day or two ago and was asking for a girl that fits her description. He was harassing some townsfolk, so I had to ask him to leave. He seemed very intent on finding her,” Alexandra explained. “Really? Well, she has never mentioned anything like that to us,” Beorth said. “Come on, let’s ask her.” He led the Watch-Mage over to Jana. “Jana, this is the local Watch-Mage, Alexandra the Lavender,” Beorth introduced. Jana met the tall woman’s eyes hesitantly. She felt as if Alexandra were examining her closely as if to find out something specific about her. “Hello,” said Jana. “Well met, Jana. I was just explaining to Beorth here, that a man came through town a couple of days ago and he was looking for someone that matches your description.” “Really? Must be a coincidence. I don’t know of anyone that would be looking for me,” Jana said, innocently. “Are you sure? It seems like a strange coincidence,” Alexandra said, skeptically. “He spoke with several people in town and I later discovered that several of them were charmed. I needed to break the enchantments, but it was difficult in some cases. There may even be some people left under his spell, but I have not yet discovered them.” “Well, I have no idea about it,” Jana said with a tone of annoyance. “It is good that you were able to break these enchantments, but really we have no idea who this man might be. And we haven’t heard anything about someone looking for Jana. It must be a coincidence,” said Beorth. “Well, as Watch-Mage of Bountiful it is my responsibility to investigate anyone or anything that might be a danger to it. I’m sorry if I seem intrusive. Please enjoy your stay in Bountiful, and if I can help you somehow do not hesitate to find me. My tower can be seen from anywhere in town. And if you do learn anything about this man, please let me know. Good day!” Alexandra said pleasantly and walked off. A young boy ran up to her and she walked away, and she scooped him up into her arms and playfully tweaked his nose. The game of Sticks & Nets continued. Jeremy was moved to a mid-field position, and actually got a chance to score, but the abuse was laid upon him even more. Finally, the game was over and Jeremy’s team did win, though he did not score even one goal. Happy, but aching, he walked back to camp with Beorth and Jana for supper. They ran into Ratchis, who had spent the afternoon hiking in the small wooded areas about Bountiful, and feeding squirrels and groundhogs. Everyone was waiting on the chow line, when Kazrack returned from his day of work at the smithy. He ran into Kamir, who was bringing buckets of fresh water up from the river. “Hey, Kamir! How’d ya like your gift?” Kazrack said with a sly smile. “My gift?” Kamir looked puzzled for a minute. “Oh, I loved it,” he said, remembering the candied apple with a broad smile. “It was the best gift I ever got!” “Oh, good I am glad!” Kazrack said. “You had fun?” “Yeah, it was nice. I had some and then I had some later. I shared some of it with a few of the other guys too.” Kazrack was taken aback. “Oh, really? That is very generous of you.” “Well, what good is a gift you can’t share it with others right?” Kamir said. “I guess,” the dwarf replied. “I have to go. These buckets are getting heavy. Thanks of asking!” Kamir said, as he clambered away. Kazrack went to get some dinner before it was all gone, perplexed by the oddities of humans. ---------------------------------------------------- [b]Notes[/b]: (56) “Pig-F*cker” and son of a “Pig-f*cker” are both common insults for those of orcish lineage. (57) Watch-Mages are graduates of the Academy of Wizardry, who are assigned to guide and watch over specific towns and areas. The local government of Thricia is based solely on the power of the Watch-Mage. For more info on the [url='http://www.matantisi.com/aquerra/organizations/academy.htm"']Academy of Wizardry[/url] see [url=http://www.aquerra.com]www.aquerra.com[/url]. (58) [i]Sticks & Nets[/i] is a game said to originate in Thricia. It is very similar to our own game of lacrosse. [/QUOTE]
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