A knights' Return...

[Repsol]

He looked to the young lad aside him, his mind not so much in turmoil as he considered himself to have a well ballanced judgement of folk hereabouts, though some at the castle would chuckle to hear the words Repsol and ballanced in the same sentence.
It must have been a fit of desperation this young lad threw himself in front of a troop of horesmen travelling at speed to escape his persuers, and to wish a tour in the castles dungeons above being taken, could he really find suitable punishment for the lad, it was after all the season of goodwill to A/all, and the lad had seen enough of the inside of the dungeons, whether it be right or wrong he had made his decision.
He lifted the dagger and placed the blade upon the ties around the lads wrists and snagged the blade upwards cutting through the ties, he placed his dagger back into his left boot and spoke softly to the lad.....

I know not of thy cause or purpose in escape from thy persuers and mayhap iffen the gods wished it I would know, tis evidence I know all I need, I know not iffen ye be prepared to lie for thy cause this I shall nae allow thee the burden of speaking of it and that the matter be closed as I hath judged it so, thou art free to take thy leave or find work within the Kingdom of Windstorm for whichever thee choose as for me part it be done and nae further a concern for me, though any further wishes thou hath to cause fructions within the Kingdom, pray the next time ye may nae find me so charitable to thy cause, seek the path of thy life wisely lad and may thy gods walk alongside thee....

Repsol stood and took one last look upon the lad and offered him a wry smile and a wink as he turned to walk to the stable area....

[Vivienne]

She could do no more than stare at him, mouth agape, and even still as he took his leave and made his way towards the stables. So much more she expected from the man, in the way of punishment, chastising and demanding she tell him the why’s of her flight from the men she had mentioned. It was to both of their good fortunes that he DID take his leave after granting her freedom because she would have surely graced him with a grateful kiss on the cheek. That would have at very least caused him some ribbing from the other men, should anyone happen to have seen him being kissed on the cheek by a boy.

Her eyes watched his back until he disappeared from her sight and she wondered what would have happened if she had told him. It did not matter however since she would not burden anyone with her problem, and in telling someone she would have to ask for secrecy and she would not ask anyone to lie for her.

She sat for a time and allowed for her mind to adjust to her new circumstances. Such a short time ago her only thought was to get away and now that she had accomplished that she did not quite know what to do. Finding work was a mystery to her since she could not do anything of note, certainly not anything that a boy would do and staying disguised as a boy would be best for now. Aye it would be best for she knew that many, many months would go by before she was no longer being sought by “he and his” men.

After a time and when her thoughts had come full circle she finally stood and began to make her way towards a man loading up a cart with large sacks stuffed full with what she did not know. Praying he would grant her a ride to wherever he was going, and also praying that wherever he was going it was far from here and the men who would be looking for her, she tugged her cap down low on her head and approached him.

[Repsol]

As he approached the stableyard Lord Hague the Man-at-Arms stood and looked upon him with a puzzled look, before he could ask Repsol lifted his forefinger to his lips and motioned silence, he knew what was coming, Repsol knew his good friend would tell him truth, not always in a polite manner, Hague ignored the motion and spoke...

Where be thy ball and chain......ye hath released the lad have ye nae, and speak to me of truths M'friend, for ye know ye should hath kept him here til those looking for him had gone or found him, we may have made a bid for his freedom, ye hath thrown him to the wolves of this world M'Friend and thy shall live with that knowledge, thine be to protect nae harbor and protect then let them free, work in these walls wouldst hath given him money and a place of protection...

Repsol looked at the man afore him and he knew to respond would mean him losing this argument, Hague if nothing was consistently correct in all he looked upon, the lad had done very little work, his hands and features portraid this fact and Repsol began to think of his actions, he thought by releasing the lad he had favored him with freedom, he knew more than anyone what the lad would be fodder for any jumped up thief or vagabond he appens across, ..no the lad would make his own life and his own path in life he could and would not be making decisions of free men.
Doubt.....doubt had crept in his mind he must thank Hague for this, he could not take in every waife and stray who crossed the lands of Windstorm, but he wouldn't be taking in such with the lad he is one who should have been protected, he was not as aware as most who travel freely there was something not sitting right with his mind, something deep in his head gnawing at him, he kicked a wooden bucket across the stable yard, Hague chuckled wryly and turned to tend his mount, Repsol looked back to where his Friend stood and turned......

Ye hath done it for thy speak to me of thus hath began to stir me mind, why do I stretch me patience with thee, mayhap the next we ride I should see thee smarted a blow to such knock thee upon thine oh so righteous arse......

Hague laughed loudly as he lay his saddle upon his mount, looking to his friend as he walked away slowly he knew in his mind Repsol would be seeking answers from himself.......

[Vivienne]

((apologies dear sir for the lateness of my response, that horrendous thing called rt has kept me busy and thus too much occupied))

After a time she rose from the bench and wandered about the grounds of the keep, observing the various people milling about, hurrying from here to there their minds set on their tasks. One man was just beginning to load up a cart full of sacs that were stuffed full of what she did not know. As he went about the job she stood there and watched for a spell, her mind whirling with decisions. Finally she found enough bravado to approach him, making certain to keep her cap low, her head tilted downwards and her voice somewhat deep. After a few moments she turned from him hardly able to keep the smile off her lips. He’d agreed to take her to the next village, which was only as far as he was going, but still it was farther than here and thus farther away from the men who would be searching for her. Aye it was a good first step. For now she had an hour to do what was needed and as much as she wanted to scrub the dungeon from her body she knew better than to hope that there would be a bath with steaming hot water just around the corner for her pleasure and hers alone. There was always the trough for the animals and she’d seen many a men shirtless and splashing themselves in such, but for her and her bound breasts it was not an option. Besides she had bigger worries at the moment.

During her ponderings on the bench she had decided that it would serve her best to continue her charade as a boy. And in deciding that she was forced to acknowledge that it was her hair that would be her biggest hindrance for if any should see the long dark tresses that hung to her backside she would surely be ousted for the female that she was. Ignoring the ache deep in her heart she knew it would be best for her beloved crowning glory to be shorn.

With heavy heart she wandered about, eyes keen on finding a way to do just that for she had neglected to even keep a knife on her for this adventure. But as she came about the corner of a building there before her were men repairing a fishing net. They were lost in friendly chatter, their task forgotten for the moment and there, lying on the ground to the side was a knife, its silver blade glinting in the sunlight.

Nonchalantly she wandered over, her eyes looking this way and that and smoothly and gracefully as ever, thankful for the many courtesies she was forced to perform over the years she bent her knees and deftly picked up the blade and turned to begin her retreat. Now all she needed was a secluded corner which in a keep this large should not be that difficult to find.

[Lady Edfeil]

((wonderful to see this thread going on. *warm smile* Great writing))

[Mollie Servant of Windstorm]

Never one to let an opportunity pass by her, Mollie had been watching on and off through various windows and doors....inquisitive as ever, actually downright nosy if truth be told. As she stepped from the washroom door she saw him again, oh he was a handsome one and she had never seen him before in the village, or even around the keep, she would not let this one get away in a hurry, not Mollie. If there was a new lad or even a man come to that, Mollie would be first in the queue to get to know him. Luckily her twin, Millie was not so brazen.

The pile of linens she carried was heavy but Mollie has muscles built from many a year of service to the Castle, a well covered lass and yet not too large a build, she feigned a look of weakness and pretended to falter in her steps. Calling out to him in her best ladylike fashion although to many it sounded more like a wailing banshee!

"oooiiiiii you there....lad......ken yers be 'elpin me......ooooohhhhhherrrrr!!"

She held on to the clean linens for dear life, they would never be allowed to get one speck of dirt upon them lest she would have to wash them all over again, and that was not one of Mollie's strong points. Oh no.....she held on to them as if her life depended on it......but continued to pretend to be in a pickle!

"Lad.......ohhhh Lad.......come hither" She whispered to herself and tried so hard not to giggle.

[Vivienne]

((apologies once again, rt got me for a time, but I am able to get back here more often now))

With the knife tucked close to her side she deftly picked her way through the people milling about on their daily duties and a great many others who seemed to be gathered about. Horses saddled and ready were being brought out in rapid succession and knights mounted them in turn, after what seemed to be teary farewells. She did wonder what this all was about, but her first and foremost thoughs were on her task at hand...wonderings could be dealt with after. For now her eyes searched for a place wherein she could find those several moments alone to rid herself of her long dark tresses...the ones that could so easily betray her.

A voice filtered through her thoughts and she gave a brief glance over at the maid with the basket, but then promtly dismissed her, not even rrealizing that it could possibly be her that she was yoohooing. But as her eyes went back to the stable where surely she could find a dark corner to quickly accomplish her task and get the knife back before there was a chance that it be found missing, that voice still rang in her ears.

Looking back, her brows rose with surprise as she realized the maid was calling out to her. Her grip tightened on the knife and she cursed inwardly. It must be returned with due haste, for if she was caught stealing it would go badly on her, especially after being freed with that particular threat from that handsome man who surely held sway within this keep and with a word could probably order her hand cut off for theft.

After standing in indecision for a few moments she strode quickly to the maid tucking the knife into the back of her trousers as she did. When within arms reach she stuck out her hand and hefted the basket from the maid with a grunt. Her eyes looked at the maid then quickly she averted her gaze and one would think it was shyness not the fear of being found out that made her act so.

"Where tae miss, I've nae got all day."

Hoping her voice sounded gruff enough she moved to follow the maid wherever she led, while also praying this did not take up much precious time.

[Thanatos Gray]

*The knight sat within the Great Hall, relaxed and sipping at some ale while reflecting upon the events that occurred at his return. Lady Dream had long since retired to her endeavors within the castle after the two of them witnessed the fiasco within the town square, and he had come to the Hall to gather his thoughts as he had done so many times in an era that now seemed a lifetime ago.....His memory brought back his old friends and the many conversations that had been held here so close to the large open fireplace...without too much strain at all, he could hear the voices of the gathered crowd.

Then taking a long deep pull from his mug, he signaled the servant that was ever present here in the Hall, that he required a refill of his ale...then with a long deep sigh, he let his mind simply float back in time and as the past mixed with the present, he felt the tensions of the long, hard road he had taken after the last real attempt on the King's life begin to loosen and the high state of alert/ready to fight, began leaving him, he allowed a slight smile to touch his lips.

Taking the ale from the servant, and bidding her to go about her normal duties, he stretched his legs out in front of him, and started to think that 'here' was a good place to be.*