The Bold Adventures of Poins--On the Town

[mps42]

Helm glares at the Nibelung. "Our camp and headquarters. See the army you have mocked for yourself! Then, if it does not wake the fires of courage in your breast, you may return home, on my honor. So, Nibelung, what say you?"

It occurs to Graeval that quite a few of the townspeople out in the square are glaring at him, and muttering things under their breath right now.

Suddenly realizing how much attention he's drawing, Graevel walks slowly to Helmand offers a calloused hand "a bargain fairly struck. I meant no disrespect."

 

[Rhialto]

Alan looks to his father, than to the soldiers....screwing up his courage, he says, "Father I am not coming with you. You and your farm chores can be damned. I am going to become a soldier and fight for freedom. Nothing you say or do will makeme come back."

Seeing the shocked face of his father, starts to get to Alan, but than Alan's words break the silence, Alan brain is on autopilot, the words are streaming from his unconcious.

"Father, you might be strong enough to take me home, but I will run away and join the army. If you take me back again, I will run away again. If you tie me up, I will untie myself. I am joining with friends and acquientances and joining a just army today. If I have to I will join an unjust army alone tomorrow. No matter what I am joining an army."

Alan closes his eyes and spins to turn his back to his father.

"That so," say Madoc calmly. He nods. "Well, then. Enjoy the army. Oh, and by the way--don't ever come back to my house. As of this moment, ye're not my son." He shrugs. "Figure I got enough to spare one." He glances at Bran lying on the floor. "C'mon, Bran. Let's be on our way." Bran whimpers and joins his father as Madoc Hale calmly walks out of the bar.

Bernlad glances at Alan sympathetically. "Want another drink, lad?"

 

[Rhialto]

Suddenly realizing how much attention he's drawing, Graevel walks slowly to Helm and offers a calloused hand "a bargain fairly struck. I meant no disrespect."

Helm shakes the Nibelung's hand forcefully. "See you tomorrow then," he notes. "We'll bring a horse for you."

 

[Ranger Rick]

"That so," say Madoc calmly. He nods. "Well, then. Enjoy the army. Oh, and by the way--don't ever come back to my house. As of this moment, ye're not my son." He shrugs. "Figure I got enough to spare one." He glances at Bran lying on the floor. "C'mon, Bran. Let's be on our way." Bran whimpers and joins his father as Madoc Hale calmly walks out of the bar.

Bernlad glances at Alan sympathetically. "Want another drink, lad?"

Alan nods yes, to emotional to trust his mouth with words.

 

[mps42]

Helm shakes the Nibelung's hand forcefully. "See you tomorrow then," he notes. "We'll bring a horse for you."

"Well," graevel says a little louder than really necessary, "Seems like I have some packing to do. As well as a few minor things to finish up at the forge."
With that, he will head back to his small cottage and the nearby workshop to pack his things.

 

[Ranger Rick]

Alan downs this mug much faster than anyone else at the table. Infact, he is still downing it (doing the motions) when the cup has been emptied.

 

[Rhialto]

The next morning the four recruits--or rather the three recruits, and the Nibelung who's coming on what is essentially a dare--meet in front of The Bearded Flea with the Syrans. Helm glances at them. "Now--we're going to be travelling east for several days. I've had Ventruli buy some horses for you, so it won't be too hard, but I have to warn you--it will be a hard trip, into the Iron Mountains. If you have any questions, please ask them now."

 

[jkason]

The next morning the four recruits--or rather the three recruits, and the Nibelung who's coming on what is essentially a dare--meet in front of The Bearded Flea with the Syrans. Helm glances at them. "Now--we're going to be travelling east for several days. I've had Ventruli buy some horses for you, so it won't be too hard, but I have to warn you--it will be a hard trip, into the Iron Mountains. If you have any questions, please ask them now."

Weel speaks up, channeling his best foreman's voice.

"I don't know about the others, but for my part I'd rather start the journey sooner than later. I'm sure we've no end of curiousity, but I suspect we'll do better satisfying it by seeing and doing."

He swallows hard, thinking, And the sooner we get going, the less time I have to second guess myself. A rebel army? This is how I'm going to keep myself out of harm's way?

 

[Ranger Rick]

What else will we be given? What should we do when we come across trouble?

 

[Rhialto]

"Right now, we don't have anything to arm you with. You might consider asking your friend there--he seems to have turned up some stuff. Otherwise you'll have to make due with what we give you in camp. As for an emergency--well, we'll tell you what to do when that happens, and not before." Helm turns around. "Let's move." And with that, they ride out of Poins, into the East...