In the harbour

[Eurich of the Forell]

Eurich had set out with Valmére and his men, standing watch before the Forell, in case they would call for some reinforcement. They did not, but instead he saw them being led by men he took for castle guards back towards the ship. It didn't look good for them, or for the rest of the remaining crew. And their captain? Sennis would not be safe after this disaster, Eurich knew full well. What should he do?

The guards with the Forell's men in tow came closer… now was the time to act. Likely they would all be imprisoned on their own ship, nobody would be allowed to leave. Scanning the docks, Eurich spied a small boat laying next to the Forell. He jumped inside, tossed aside the large oil kin cloth covering some fishing nets and quickly covered himself with the skin, still being able to watch what was happening right in front of the Forell.

There was Valmére, Amaric who was more carried than being able to walk himself; Gyso bound with hands secured to his back, sword being pointed into the backs of all who returned.

Remard was in danger… the whole crew was. But Eurich knew what his captain would be expecting of him - he'd slip out under the cover of night and board a vessel leaving for the continental coast. From there it was not a long way to the true Christian king of this hemisphere, Charles III, king of the Westfrankish kingdom. He would know about this… and his revenge would be hard and fast!

[Jean aboard the Forell]

From his place in the Crows nest he could see a long distance all around the the area of the docks and wharf. Calling out to those below, as a group of mounted guards from the Castle came into view moving down towards the ship.

As He kept watch a movement down by the gangplank caught his eyes. In silence he watched as Eurich faded into the darkness over the edge of the dock and hide in a small tarplin covered skiff pulling the tarplin back over top of him hiding himself well.

Not sure what was going on Jean looked back toward the group of men and discovered that there were men of the Forell mixed among them. All but Valmere seemed to have injuries causing them to need aid in moving.

No, things were not going well for those of the Ship Forell, and Jean cursed at having ever pulling into the Port of Sommerville on the coast of this blasted land.

[Admin]

~the guard having told me of the problems down in the harbour, I grab me sword and head out,leaving the French twit in the company of two of me guards.
As I ride down to the village and the harbour, I speak with the three crimson guards that ride with me.... tellign them I wish them to be undercover guards around the Forrell. " Make sure thee dress the part and keep weapons to small hand arms and hidden from sight. I will have normal guards posted around the ship...but I have a sneeky suspission that these buggers shall try and slip off their ship and either go after Sinold again, or perhaps someone else. these pompous arses just can not fathom the thought that they did wrong and have to suffer the punishments of such acts. Bloody French twits.
. I knew I should have invaded them when Beren came back from France with the news.... growls low and send the Crimson off to their task at hand.

Slowly I ride along till I come to the ship and the large group of men along side... mine and theirs. I dismount and walk to them.

" Allright.. who started this fray? "

[Valmere]

Valmére spit into the sand of the beach, struggling a little against the tight grab one of the guards had on both his arms, his neck bandaged by a ripped off piece of cloth to stem the flow of blood from the sword would one of the Vikings had given him.

“Your bloody Viking friends started this… as you well know! We only wanted to level the playing field, Milord. Give us back our captain and Darek, and some provisions for ours will not keep us for much longer, and we will sail fro these accursed shores!”

There now was utter contempt and open hostility in Valmére’s eyes and when he looked over to his equally restrained and bound comrades, he saw his sentiments mirrored perfectly.

[Admin]

*without a word or warning, I simple walk over and back hand the one who spoke. *

" Ye best keep a cival tongue in thee mouth, before I tear it out and feed it to you. Ye say the vikings started this, but thee only wished to level the playing field. Most interesting. Just how did thee attempt to do this deed?
As for thee captain, not that ye have the right to know what he does or what I do, he is on his way back to thee ship. Darek on the other hand will be stayign a wee bit longer.
Now thee and thee rest of thee men best listen and listen good. For I only say this once. This is my land, and my laws abide here. Iffn ANYONE, French, norse, english the pope himself, breaks my laws, they best be prepared to suffer the penilties for said crimes. This is nae France or anywhere else. This is Windstorm and is ruled by me.
Now I suggest that thee get thee butts back onto thee ship before I decide to toss thee all in the brig untill ye rot. Iffn thee step off this ship. ye will be tossed back onboard .

*steps in and puts me face inches in front of the man*

IS THAT CLEAR?


IS THAT STRAIGHT?

*nods to the guards to let the men free from grasp as I await the answer*

[Amaric]

*Not quite sharing the contempt he had heard in Valmére’s voice, Amaric shook his head when Valmére looked at him for confirmation. As much as he wanted to get Darek back himself, he also knew when to bend his back and roll over when a tougher dog was about to bite his throat. Valmére, the rest of the men often did not know when to give in. He himself could barely stand, the sword slash the Viking had given him had severed muscles, sinews and nerves, he was in pain but bit his lip as he stood on one leg, supported by two of the Windstorm guards.

“Milord… we will abide by your laws. We do not seek to make any more trouble, but you hold one of ours… you must understand our desire to get him back.” Amaric looked to the sky and managed a smile upon his face. “’tis the day of our Lord’s raising for the dead tomorrow… sire! I know you are a Christian ruler… we wish to celebrate our Lord’s rise to heaven, as I know will you. Maybe… a few provisions and… a healer? We acted rashly, and only in concern for the welfare for our mate. Please, Milord, ye cannot deny us medicine and wine to show God’s son our proper respect? I am certain Captain de Sennis will appreciate your kindness as well!”

Grabbing the shoulder of one of the guards harder, Amaric looked back up, then to the ship’s crow nest, seeing Jean focussing his attention to a spot a bit off the ship. Something in the harbour…. Maybe someting that could help them. Quickly he looked back at the angered king, then at Valmére who still stood fuming and shooting him dirty looks for being a damn supplicant fool.

[Admin]

Abide me laws....*looks around at the mob scene and thewounded men*... like thee already have been doing?

The fact tht I be Christan is the only thing that is sparing thee lives right now. As for this special day, I shall make sure thee have supplies and a healer sent on board thee ship. Thee all will stay on thy ship and wil nae step off.
I understand thee willinness to fetch thee man, but thee must remember, he broke laws of my land and must pay the price, no matter how badly thee wish him back. Same would happen iffn one of me men broke a law in France.

*stands there.. hand on sword pommel..just waiting for somemore lippy talk so I can remove a head or two*

[Remard de Sennis]

He was paraded back to his ship like a common criminal. Although he didn't have to walk on foot but had been given a horse to ride, the guards around him made him feel like some animal brought to its cage by its captors. How could this all have gone so wrong, Remard wondered.

And he wondered another thing. Why was the picture of lady Andrea not leaving his mind? The last eve he had spend in Windstorm, she and he had met again in the great hall, talking. Amiably, or so Remard thought. Yes, she was a formidable lady, and he was certain his uncles Vinzelles would understand the magic some of these women spun around men like him and Remard. His uncle had taken a secret liking to one of windstorm's other attractions, Lady Beren. He even had stood behind a curtain once to listen to her play her harp, or so he had told Remard. Andrea Monroevia was a charming creature, and Remard had even extended an invitation towards her should she ever be able to spring over her shadow and accept his invitation.

They finally arrived at the Forell. There were still of few of his men standing in front of the ship, wounded most of them… their attempt to abduct the Norse must have gone really, really badly. He also spied the king at the docks, his hand on the hilt of his sword. He seemed to feel oh so high and mighty here in his insignificant little kingdom, Remard had to laugh.

He dismounted, again demanding his weapons from the guard who had shown the sword and daggers to him earlier. And then one of his men made a fatal mistake…


***************

At the last words from the king, Rigunth spat at the ground, cursing in very colourful tones before glaring directly at the king. "Ye bloody Viking friend! Go to hell!"

[Rigunth]

At the last words from the king, Rigunth spat at the ground, cursing in very colourful tomes before glaring directly at the king. "Ye bloody Viking friend!"

For a moment Rigunth developed the strength of two men, forcing his arms from his captors, freeing himself, then grabbing a knife he still had hidden in one of his boots, and made towards the king himself, his knife raised, his eyes spewing hatred. "You will die, you treacherous bastard!"

Another step and he would be close enough to strike against Agustin's chest…

[Admin]

*standing there waiting for just this... the words filled with venom and hatred. The strength of anger and bigotry allowing the crewman to break free from the guards. Still standing there, right hand upon sword , eyes locked on teh advancing man, nae showing any emotion, but acting like I am fear struck....until...


As the man gets to one step away, I simple side step to the right. In one fluid motion, my sword leaps from its scabbard, the light of torches and such dancing along the wicked blade as it reaches it's mark.

The flat part of me sword slams into the side of the idiots head, swelling his ear, and probally most likely, bursting his ear drum. As the man falls to his knees , screaming in pain , I simply step over and place my left foot onto the hand with the dagger in it.

" Next time you wish to try something stupid , I will grant thy head a leave of absence from thy body. *spits down on the man's face. For the record, I would rather be a norse's friend, then one to a french bigot like ye self. At least they show honor and respect to all."

* as I step away from the man, I see the Captain approching on horse, just in time to see his crewmate make a stupid mistake.
" Next time Capt, ye will be down two members instead of one. Ye really must stop trying me patents, I have granted thy a visit to Darek, and supplies and a healer form thee wounded and for Easter... Dont ruin it by pissing me off again. "

[Lady Alexandreania (Andrea)]

~Lady Dream, and Andrea watched as Captain Remard was marched out of the Great Hall with no less than 4 guards, the 3 that had been assigned to him and the 4th who had brought his weapons from the guard house. To say that Andrea would miss the arrogant and ill mannered Captain would be a dramatic overstatement. When in actuality she was silently celebrating his exit.~

~At last things could return to the normal calm about the Castle. None would have to put up any longer with the constant high handed manner and listening to streams of insults pour forth from his lips. Even just a short while ago having given her an invitation to visit his lands had seemed like of the most ill spoken kind to her ears. As if she would ever even consider on taking him up on it. She shuddered at the thought.~

~No, she had been right when she toasted Him at his insistance to join him in a goblet of wine to only toast to his swift travels, murmuring to herself that they couldn't come quickly enough for her liking, the only thing she could possibly truely wish for him with out having to spend a long while with the Father Confessor the next time she visited him.~

[Remard de Sennis]

The moment Remard was off his horse he saw Rigunth make his foolish move and the king easily repel his attempt to harm him. Immediately the Captain went over to his man and placed his boot into his ribcage hard, hearing a rib or two crack in the process.

"You damn cretin! What did you think you were doing? Get yourself onboard, like the king has commanded!" He whirled around to the other five of his crew. "That goes for you too, get the hell onboard!"

While Rigunth slowly got back to his feet and then was pushed up by a guard, Remard went over to where Agustin stood, bowing slightly. "He didn't know how to behave and he will be punished by me, onboard! I am sorry such was displayed by one of my crew," Remard glared at his other men who now were slowly pushed up the boarding plank to enter the Forell again, "it shall not happen again. I am… grateful for a healer and the provisions for I intend to stay here and await the day my man will receive his final punishment from me!"

His tone was gentle, even though Remard wanted to spit and almost chocked on his words. That blustering king thought himself so mighty? He would regret the day he had laid hand upon one of them!

He started to walk up the plank, having then received his weapons back. Inside he fumed, both at the king and at his men. Even though he would stay in the harbour, he needed to get a message about the traitorous nature of this king and his subjects to his uncle, and thus to king Charles III. He would not idly stand by as even more of this isle was falling to the Danish and Norse scum! Of that Remard was certain.

After some final insults throw between guards and his men, remard was back on board his ship, a piece of France in fact. he hoped Agustin's men would at least respect the sanctuary the ship represented, and not attack. But now he needed to act fast, before the guard would take their positions around the ship.

It was then that the crownest's boy Jean came running towards him.

[Jean]

Having watch the exchange between the doudily dressed Noble and the badly timed attack by Rigunth from his spot up in the crowsnest, Jean shook his head at the hotheaded thinking of the french sailor. ..Mon ami that be ill timed of ye... saying to him self.

Then he watched as His Captain too chastized the man and ordered all of the men on to the ship. It was then Jean climbed down the mast from the nest and waited for His Captain to come aboard. When he did Jean approached and began speaking to him in a low whisper and being sure to not look at all over to the skiff, to give away anything to those watching...Capt'n, Eurich be hidden in a tarp covered skiff starboard of the ship. I saw 'im enter it when when the guards came into view from up the docks... p'haps he can do something...

With that quick word he turned and leaned up agains the side of the bulkhead resting on an elbow waiting to hear his Captains orders.

[Eurich of the Forell]

The commotion around the boat was the perfect time for Eurich to loosen the rope which held the small fishing boat at its place by the docks. Taking out his knife he reached out from under the tarpin, slowly, so as to not be observed, and cut the rope with a few hard cuts with his knife. He made sure the rope didn't just splash into the water. No noise was heard when he finally had the boat free.

The men around the king were still busy swarming over their prisoners, and protecting their liege, although Eurich thought that man certainly didn't need any protection, he was a bear! But the diversion that idiot Rigunth, a bullish Saxon with no brain, created was just too good to pass up. Maybe his only chance.

The boat began to drift, and Eurich helped a bit with one of the small paddles, as quietly as he could. One paddle stroke in minute or so. It was enough to bring the boat alongside the Forell finally. Out of sight of the guards who were still busy insulting their prisoners.

He pushed the tarpin back a bit and gave three short calls of a gull…. His fellow mates would recognize the call, and that Remard was a quick thinker!

[Remard de Sennis]

After hearing Jean’s news about Eurich, Remard tapped the man’s arm unobtrusively, and nodded with his head towards his cabin. “My cabin… NOW!” he said as quietly as possible but with a vehemence that made it clear he had understood the possibility for sending a message out.

“The others, look after your foolish and thus wounded comrades. There will be a healer on board soon, in the meantime make sure the men are cleaned up!”

Once inside the cabin, Remard closed the door behind Jena and began to pace, the sword he had now on his belt again slapping against his left leg. “Our hands are bound, jean. They gave Darek a sentence of 90 days, after which he will be… flogged.” Remard left out that it would be he who’s do the flogging. “Their king is cultivating the friendship of the Nordic barbarians, a Christian ruler in the same bed as those bloody Viking!” He spat onto the wooden floor and continued his pacing. “This cannot go on, Charles has a right to know, he will not be pleased about how his subjects have been treated by Agustin. Eurich will need to get across the channel…”

Remard sat down, hastily pulled a piece of parchment, ink and a quill from his secretary he had in his cabin, and began to write:

Gracious uncle,

My crew and I find ourselves being effectively held prisoner in the harbour of Windstorm castle. One of my man was foolish enough to aggravate the king of these lands which resulted in his imprisonment for 3 months. The king here by name of Agustin is very friendly with the Vikings, and he has threatened to have my ship been brought up by one of his barbarian friends should we dare leave his harbour before or after the allotted 90 days of my man’s punishment. He also houses a Viking barbarian under his won roof calling himself and many others of his kind friends. Please come immediately… I fear for the life of my men and myself at the hands of this traitorous king!

Your loyal servant and nephew

Remard


Quickly he rolled up the parchment around the shaft of an arrow. Then he opened a casket and took out a purse with some gold coins, pushing it into his shirt and grabbing the arrow with the attached note.

“If Eurich is the man for whom I take him, eh will have managed to come alongside the ship… Jean, take one of the others and create a diversion, distract the guards.” He went outside, motioning Jean to follow him. On deck, he looked around – his wounded posse was taken care of by a few of his men, and Remard grimaced when he saw Valmére’s very nasty neck wound. Served them right if they couldn’t even apprehend a single bloody Viking dog. He’s listen to their excuses later… but now he strolled over to the port side of the shop which faced the open water. Indeed, there it was, the small fishing boat Eurich had “borrowed”. Looking about himself, and then at Jean, the Captain nodded towards the young man and whispered, “Make this diversion good, Jean! Eurich needs all the time he can get!”

Almost silently Remard dropped both arrow and purse down to the waiting man in the boat and then quickly turned away, walking back to the stern of the ship to give his beaten men one of his nice lectures.