Wagon Trip
Chapter 1: At the Livery Stable
The group walks briskly through the streets of Stamfort towards the town’s livery stable. Cirilli is holding her new shield on her arm and attempting to keep it in a defensive position. Atalaya is pleased that she has listened and remembered the injunction to carry the shield rather than strap it over her back. She does see however, as they approach the stable, that the shield is held a bit lower than when they left Tamora's shop.
As they approach the stable the first raindrops splatter onto the ground in front of them. Cirilli smiles to herself and lifts her shield over her head like an umbrella.
Entering the stable they look for the hostler.
Sorrow stands in the open double stable doors as the group runs in out of the rain and shakes off the wet. He scowls as some of the spray flung from his friends hiss upon his skin. Sorrow looks miserable.
A thin middle-aged man with an immaculate dark handlebar mustache, stands from the far side of a horse. The apron over his knee and the pick in his hand tell the story. He smiles, gesturing to Sorrow, "I hope you're here with him and not just here to dodge the rain."
Sorrow turns to address the man, "Yes, this is the rest of my group." The man asks, "A covered wagon with two draft horses is 20 silver a day with a returnable 5 gold fee. Does this meet your needs?" The group exchanges agreeable nods. Nevil speaks, "you have a deal." Inman reaches into his pocket and exchanges money with the man.
The man barks, "boy, you done with Mable yet?" A sandy blond haired teen with the beginnings of facial scruff works at the far end of the open stable. He is finishing with the harness straps on a pale draft horse and running his hands over her. "Yes, Pa." The teen notices Cirilli right away as he leads the horse to the middle of the stable. Her shield and armor intrigue him. He keeps looking in her direction.
"Good, Blu is ready too." The horses were quickly hitched. The man wraps the reigns on the foot rest, checks the wheel lock, and turns to the group. "I hope it doesn't rain like this all the way to Briarwood. Good luck." The teen stands in the rain, holding out his hand to help the ladies into the wagon.
Atalaya watched Vasilya head toward the front of the wagon and climb onto the seat, taking the reins in one hand while the other pulled the hood of his cloak into place. He sighed as the rain continued to fall harder and faster as a muttered Gurrish curse fell from his lips. He waited for the others to climb into the wagon under the canvas. She followed Boz to the front of the wagon.
Sorrow made his way into the wagon as quickly as he could, the raindrops steaming on his body whenever they fell on uncovered skin. He sighed in relief as soon as he settled himself onto a hay bale he pulled into the middle of the wagon, as far from the opening to the front and back as he could manage. Nevil made her way into the wagon, allowing the young teen to assist her into the wagon and then reached for Cirilli’s shield. Cirilli handed it to her and jumped into the wagon, not really noticing the fallen expression on the stableboy. She made her way toward the front of the wagon sitting down on a hay bale. Nevil handed the shield to Cirilli and found a bale to sit on.
Nevil chuckled and leaned into Cirilli, “I think that young man stood in the rain to help you into the wagon. Had you allowed him, it could have made his day.”
“Made his day? What do you mean? I’m able to get into a wagon by myself. I’ve been doing that since I was about five years old.” Cirilli looks confusedly at Nevil.
Inman turned to help Atalaya into the wagon, but saw that she was already sitting on the bench next to Vasilya. Shaking his head he entered the back of the wagon and with the boy’s help closed off the back of the wagon to the rain, lashing the covering to pegs located inside the frame.
Inman made his way to where Nevil was sitting and pulled a bale beside her and sat down next to her.
Inman, chuckled too, "at a minimum, that young man went out of his way, and stood in the rain, to help you as a courtesy and form of respect. Not noticing or rejecting the courtesy without a response is... off putting."
Nevil offers more, "He is your age too. So, perhaps it was also for the chance to spend just one moment with you. He may have been giving you an opportunity to get to know him.”
“I didn’t mean … I didn’t know… Is that why Atalaya kept her hand on Boz’s arm all morning? Was that supposed to be a form of respect? They usually just walk near each other, or Boz puts his arm around her waist. I thought that was because he likes her.”
Nevil has a smirk on her face, “Well, today's game gave Boz an excuse to dote on Atalaya and they love each other. Which starts with respect and romantic attraction.”
Cirilli thinks for a bit. “Are you saying that boy wanted to get to know me? Why? We aren’t going to be staying here.”
Nevil nods, “He didn't know our travel plans, and why not? You are beautiful, and smart, and capable.” Sorrow adds, “a lass with a shield doesn't walk into his stable everyday.”
Her face reddens as the import of what might have been going on finally sinks in. “You think that he ‘liked’ me?”
Sorrow smiles, “I think he may have been making the first opportunity to find out.”
Cirilli asks, “First?”
Nevil answers,”We have to return the wagon.”
Cirilli looks down, thinking about what Nevil and Sorrow have said, but doesn’t say anything more on the topic.
Chapter 2: Ride to the Docks
Vasilya watched Atalaya climb onto the seat next to him and adjust her cloak to cover herself as much as possible. “ ‘Laya, what are you doing here? You need to get inside. It’s going to rain all the way to Briarwood.” He eyed her with a thoughtful expression on his face. “Take it from the resident Gur, this is going to be a wet trip.”
Atalaya shook her head, “If it gets too bad we can switch places with Inman and Nevil. Let’s just hope that the road is not a total muddy mess.
Vasilya rolls his eyes but directs the horses to move out of the livery yard and into the streets of Stamfort. The horses give a nicker and try to look back at their stables, but Vasilya deftly redirects their attention back to the road and moves them through the town towards the docks. They reach the Hond Ebrath’s docking spot and Vasilya brings them to a stop in front of the dock.
“I’ll just be a couple of minutes. I’ll get everything straightened out with Ivar and then we can head out. There is no reason for anyone else to be getting themselves wet.” Atalaya jumps down from the seat, barely missing a largish puddle. She runs up the dock and makes her way more carefully across the gangplank. A quick search of the decks does not reveal Ivar, so she heads to the common room.
Sitting at the table in the common area, a cup of coffee in his hand, Ivar looks up when Atalaya enters. “I thought you were heading to Briarwood this morning?”
“We are,” Atalaya confirmed. “But we have been doing a little shopping this morning. There should be two deliveries. One from the general store and one from Tamora’s Armory and Tannery. We owe half the price of the goods on delivery. Reaching into her pack she pulled out the bag of holding. Pulling out 41 gold pieces and 5 silver pieces she places them on the table before her. This is for Tamora or whoever brings the gambesons and other equipment we bought from her. There should be four gambesons, four wooden practice swords and two practice sleeves. They are supposed to deliver these before 4:00 pm. Pulling out some more gold she says, “This is for the delivery from the general store. I’m not exactly sure when they are going to be here. They have been told to ask for you or Annie when they come. I hope you have something to put all that into until they come.”
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Seeing Sorrow's discomfort, "You sure you want to come," Nevil asked. Sorrow nodded, "I said I'd go. It's only an afternoon." This poor man. If only there was something to…
Without a word of explanation, Nevil unties the flap and shimmy's to the ground, letting in as little of the wet as possible. She runs down the dock, up the ramp, and down into the ship. Atalaya is surprised to see Nevil and even more surprised to see her run into the galley. "And just what are you up to," she asked.
Grabbing a beat up tin can, she opens the stove, shovels three or four large coals into the cup and wraps a towel over it. She starts moving quickly again, past Atalaya, "I couldn't just sit there knowing I could do something to help. Come on."
Atalaya picks up Ivar’s coffee mug, takes a swig of the warm liquid, and smiles at Ivar. “Thanks. I needed that.” Giving Ivar a quick peck on his check she leaves the slightly bemused captain at the table she heads back upstairs and makes her way back to the wagon.
Nevil begins to jog her way to the wagon with Atalaya. Reaching the wagon, Nevil lifts the rear cover, Stepping in as quickly as possible. Nevil drops her dripping cloak and stretches the towel and cup to Sorrow who looks confused. “Hurry it's getting hot.” He takes the present with curiosity, feeling the heat, then holding the scalding cup in his hands like a coffee mug. With a big grin, “thank you.”
Atalaya stopped at the back of the wagon and pulled the canvas aside enough to shout in, “Okay, payment for our shipments has been worked out. We are ready to head out.”
Atalaya heads back to the front of the wagon and joins Vasilya.
Nevil sits, breathing hard, on the open seat next to Inman. Looking at Inman with a very pleased expression. “You're crazy, you know,” Inman added. “Yep,” Nevil replied, “but it's a happy kind of crazy.” She turns to Sorrow, “I guess you can even eat them when they start to cool off.” Sorrow smiles, soot already on his teeth. “I couldn't help, just one”, he said.
Chapter 3: Journey to Briarwood Begins
Vasilya headed the wagon out of town and towards Briarwood. The rain continued steadily as the horses plodded along, shaking the water off their ears and then resignedly continuing. Atalaya snuggled up against Vasilya, hoping to garner a little of his warmth and started unconsciously scanning the sides of the road, looking for dangers. After a few minutes, she started talking. “I’m glad you want to practice with Cirilli. The more people she has to spar with, the better. I’m sure that Nevil will agree with that. And the more combinations of others sparring she sees, the better too, I think. Are you willing to spar with Nevil and myself?”
Vasilya turned his head to look directly at Atalaya. “Are you serious?”
“Sort of,” Atalaya agreed. “You have a very different style of fighting. It would be good for Cirilli to see that. And it wouldn’t hurt the rest of us to learn how to defend against you.” Squeezing his arm she added, “And who knows, you might pick up some new ways to avoid getting cut up.” Vasilya grunted in exasperation. Laughing, Atalaya patted his arm and snuggled closer to him.
After a few moments she sighed, “Too bad there isn’t going to be a tavern in the offing tonight. A long hot soak in a tub before a fire would be nice tonight.”
Vaz leans his head on Atalaya's. His best attempt at an embrace while keeping two hands on the reins. He whispers his best for privacy. "I can think of no better way to spend an evening with you. Alas, it's not in the stars for tonight..." Vaz pauses, considering options, "but Blue Haven is coming up and stealing you for one night, away from everyone, would be my delight." Boz takes his eyes off the road, knowing the horses will lead well enough. He looks right at Atalaya, "tell me though, what else would you like? Just a bath and a fire? or shall I surprise you?”
A shiver ripples through Atalaya that had nothing to do with either the rain or the breezes that blew past them. Switching to Gurrish she replied, “A bath and a fire and you. And any surprise you wish to add to that. You know, we really haven’t had a night really alone since your birthday. So, thou canst surprise me as thou wishes and I shall enjoy whatever thou hast prepared.” Atalaya grows silent, leaning against Vaz, she watches the roadsides for any hidden dangers as they make their way towards Briarwood.
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After a while Cirilli takes the leather token that Atalaya had given her earlier that morning and looks at it. She sees the bow and arrow design on the one side, running her fingers over it. Then turns it to the other and frowns slightly, not understanding what she is seeing. “Have you seen what Atalaya gave me this morning? I wonder what this means?” She looks again at the token and holds it out towards the others. “Do you know?”
"Actually, yes. Atalaya showed it to me as she was finishing it. The bow side was obvious enough of course, but on the other side, I had the same question." Nevil pointed to the token in Cirilli’s hand, "that side with the paw print and five pointed star, she said it was the symbol for Gwaeron Windstrom. Have you heard of him?”
Cirilli looked at the bearclaw that was tooled into the leather. “No, I’ve never heard of him. Is he a god?” She frowned a bit. “Atalaya knows that I don’t have a relationship with any of the gods or goddesses. Why would she put that on something for me?”
Sorrow leaned over and reached his hand to Cirilli. “May I see that?” Cirilli nodded and handed him the little token. Sorrow turned it over in his hand. “Atalaya made this? It seems that there is more to your guardian that I knew. This is well made.” He turned it over in his hand several times, looking at the workmanship and the designs. Handing it back to Cirilli, he settled back on his hay bale and cradled the pail of coals in his hands. [Sorrow Religion roll =23 in Riverport]
“This is indeed the symbol for Gwaeron Windstrom, the greatest ranger ever. I can see why Atalaya would choose him for this.” Sorrow looks intensely at Cirilli. “Have you never noticed Atalaya holding and fiddling with a small leather square like this of her own?”
Cirilli shook her head. “No, not really. You mean she has one just like this?”
“I’m not sure exactly what is depicted on her squares, but she uses them when she meditates and at times when she is nervous or bored and needs something for her hands to worry with. This shows your bow and arrows, I think to symbolize your archery skills and desire to be a ranger. And this side has the symbol of Gwaeron. There are many tales of Gwaeron Windstrom, the Master Tracker and teacher of rangers. Handing his pot of coals to Inman to hold for him, he pulled out his viol and bow, carefully unwrapped it from its waterproof coverings. Tuning it, he looked at Cirilli. “This is one of the many tales of Gwaeron Windstrom.”
The sweet sound so his viol filled the wagon as he played through the chorus and a stanza as he recalled the words of the ballad. Then his voice filled the space; his rich voice telling the tale of one of Gwaeron’s adventures when he slew an avatar of Malar. His voice filled the wagon and quickly drew all who listened to him under the spell of his words, the story seeming to actually unfold in front of them. As the story ended, he let the notes of the viol slow and fade away. He lowered the instrument to his lap and breathed slowly and deeply for a few moments before looking up at his audience. His mouth turned up into a knowing smile as he saw that his audience was still shaking off the effects of his song. He removed the pail of coals from Inman’s grasp and warmed his hands against the sides of the pail. While no longer hot, the pail still provided a pleasant warmth along his palms. [Sorrow performance check=25, Riverport]
Cirilli finally looked up at Sorrow. “That was beautiful. I could almost see the story happening. So he is a man? Just like us? Not a god?” Cirilli looked at the symbol on the token, rubbing her fingers along the image. Maybe I do understand why Atalaya put this on here. Am I supposed to use this to meditate?”
Sorrow answered, “I think that is a question you should ask of Atalaya. I’m sure she has a reason that she chose that symbol for you.”
Cirilli nodded. “I will. Are there more stories about Gwaeron?”
Sorrow raised an eyebrow at Cirilli’s question. “Of course there are. But one song such as that a day is plenty. Ask me later and I may share another with you.”
Cirilli nodded, still lost in thought. After several miles had passed she moved her bale next to Sorrow who had just finished munching on another piece of coal. “Atalaya plays a panflute. What other instruments do rangers play? And which ones could you teach me to play?
Sorrow laughs, “Dinner and one of my favorite subjects. Ladies, what are you planning?” He turns his long fingers around the still scalding tin cup. “Well, they usually like instruments that pack and travel well. But not all rangers roam far from home. I guess it depends. What kind of ranger do you want to be?”
“I want to be like Atalaya and keep our world safe. I want to see the High Forest where she grew up and help her to protect it. I think that is what she says her family does… at least her elven family. Once we find the thing that we are looking for… you know, the bad thing, and make the Red Wizards leave the Sword Coast, we can go back home right? And then I can learn all about the woods and tracking and keeping everyone safe.”
Nevil looks to Cirilli, “That's the plan.” Surely Atalaya has offered to send her to stay with her grandparents. She probably would not go if offered. A hard life for a teen.
Sorrow considers, “well something small and easy to pack like a flute, panpipe, ocarina, or jaw harp, would be pretty easy to travel with. The horn can be useful but not very entertaining.”
Sorrow shrugs, “there really is no telling how long we'll be up and down this coast. If we stay on this ship, string or percussion instruments would be easier to keep. Do you feel called to anything in particular?”
“I haven’t really thought about it. I wish that I could play like you just did on that instrument. That’s a fiddle, right? But I don’t think that would be very easy to carry while I was in the woods. Maybe a flute? The kind that you hold up and down, not horizontally by your head. I’ve always liked the tones that type of flute makes. And that would be easy to carry in my pack. Can you teach me that?
[Gina: Sorrow up. He plays a pan flute, can he play a recorder and more importantly, can he teach that? It is not one of his proficiencies. ]
[open forum in the wagon after Sorrow’s answer]
Sorrow knows how to play most common instruments. Knowing how to play something and being able to actually play it decently are two different things. I could probably teach you to play a saxophone or a piano, but you definitely don't want to listen to me play either. So I'm going to say that though he's not proficient, he could get her started on it. He's studied a lot of different instruments and theory.
Sorrow looks at Cirilli, seeing her hope at the idea. “I know the basics of that instrument and can certainly get you a good one and help you get started with it. It’s not one I play very often, you can’t sing and play it at the same time, you know. Eventually you might want to look for someone who is more proficient with it than I am for further guidance with it though. But to start you on your way, I can do that.”
Cirilli looks excited. “Okay. That will be fun.” She smirks at him and adds, “Who knows, you might get better at playing it, if you teach me.”
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